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The Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly voiced this proposal when opening the round table “The Role of Public Diplomacy in the Development of Russian-Azerbaijani Relations” and following a meeting with the Head of the Russian House in Baku, Irek Zinnurov, which took place on the eve of the event.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikhail Evdokimov opened the International Round Table of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly “The Role of Public Diplomacy in the Development of Russian-Azerbaijani Relations.” The event took place today at the Russian House in Baku.
“It seems to me that in the current conditions, public diplomacy is acquiring a special role in our relations. Russian-Azerbaijani relations are developing very actively. We implement major railway transport projects; also, intercultural exchange takes place. Of course, cooperation between our states is very important, not only at the government level, but also at the level of public institutions and non-governmental organizations.”
The ambassador noted that it is important to hold such meetings, where public diplomacy and the development of relations between peoples are in the spotlight, both in Azerbaijan and in Russia, and not necessarily in the capitals. Mikhail Nikolaevich wished everyone success and good luck and thanked for the invitation to the meeting.
Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, member of the Russian Federation Commission for UNESCO Andrei Belyaninov emphasized that today it is very important, drawing on history, to look to the future and direct all attention to youth.
“I am grateful to the Russian House in Baku, which supported our initiative to hold a round table. It’s great that many caring people work here at the Russian House. Co-chairman of the Council of Elders of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly Olzhas Suleimenov once said things that at that time sounded like sedition: “Yes, we need to separate in order to be sure to unite.” And he also said: “When all nations are interdependent, the causes of wars will disappear.” Today, the thoughts expressed by the classic of Soviet literature are more relevant than ever. These kinds of round tables and communication between people are very important. Today everything should be aimed at ensuring that our young people unite.”
During the round table, the Head of the Russian House in Baku, Irek Zinnurov, noted the high importance of the unification of organizations that represent multinational Azerbaijan and multinational Russia: “This round table is a kind of summing up for us. Thanks to the Eurasian and Russian People’s Assemblies for hosting such an important event in our Russian House.”
The Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly also proposed establishing a Public Council at the Russian House in Baku, which would help organizationally and ideologically complement the work being done in the area of public diplomacy and interaction with non-governmental organizations.
Deputy of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor of the Department of Political Science and Political Management of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elshad Mirbashiroglu noted the importance and timeliness of holding a round table dedicated to the role of public diplomacy in the development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations:
“It contributes to the development of our relations and defines new areas of cooperation between our states. Azerbaijan is moving to a new stage of its historical development. I would like to express confidence that under the leadership of our President, relations between Russia and Azerbaijan will move to a new qualitative level. Close interaction between the leadership of countries, the value of partnership is a guarantor of reliable relations. We must unite our efforts to develop dialogue between our peoples. They want to strengthen relationships over time. In this regard, public diplomacy has a number of advantages: sincere communication and mutual understanding create conditions for interaction, reduce the potential for conflict and have a great effect.”
Salmanov Bahruz Natig ogly, Editor-in-Chief of the Xeberlent.az news agency, noted during the round table that the work to bring all the peoples of Eurasia closer together by developing the traditions of people's diplomacy is on the right track. The expert also highly appreciated the readiness of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly to use innovative approaches and modern mechanisms in the field of cultural, social, humanitarian, scientific, educational and business relations.
“I believe that intercultural mutual enrichment and humanitarian dialogue, cooperation in education and tourism, as the most important tool of public diplomacy, is the most reliable way to strengthen the atmosphere of sustainable friendship and solidarity in simple human communication. In my opinion, Eurasia, which is the largest historical and geographical part of the Earth, should show the world an example in solving existing problems thanks to public diplomacy; it should apply experience based on justice and optimal balance, because “Public Diplomacy” is, first of all, diplomacy of reason and reconciliation."
The round table participants focused on the most important component of the development of public diplomacy – information interaction on various platforms. Svetlana Smirnova, First Deputy Secretary General - Head of the General Secretariat of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, Chairman of the Council of the Assembly of Peoples of Russia, member of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation on Interethnic Relations, as a moderator of the round table, emphasized that the most important role in enhancing information support of Russian-Azerbaijani relations can play the federal state budgetary institution of the Russian Federation - “House of Peoples of Russia”. Director of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “House of Peoples of Russia” Anna Polezhaeva took part in the round table:
“It is very pleasant to be present today in hospitable Baku. This is my first visit, and, of course, the word “hospitable” is very sincerely felt here. As we understand it, the role of public organizations and civil diplomacy is very effective.
We are pleased to support initiatives aimed at finding ideas, solutions and strategies for the work of civil society, especially when it comes to international cooperation. The idea of the House of Peoples of Russia was supported by the President of the Russian Federation. And today it is truly a house that unites all federal-national-cultural autonomies of the Russian Federation. 30 organizations live with us and work daily in the same space. All peoples are dear and beloved to us. And this is our main strategy. Today we are a creative center and practical platform for the implementation of state and national policies.
Together with the organizations with which we are historically friends, we have determined for ourselves a vector of cooperation through public diplomacy. It is very good to work with those partners and strengthen existing quality projects. We have decided on a partner for ourselves in the field of public diplomacy - we support the projects of the Assembly of Peoples of Eurasia. This is our strategic line of big things that the Assembly does on a systematic basis.”
Anna Polezhaeva said that the House of Peoples of Russia is actively working with projects aimed at young people, and invited the Azerbaijani delegation to take part in the forum “Russia is the House for Peoples”, which will take place on March 12, 2024 in Moscow. The purpose of the forum is to support and develop family values, strengthening family relationships and increasing public interest in family topic. The director of the House of Peoples of Russia noted that these universal themes unite peoples.
Advisor to the Director of the House of Peoples of Russia, Chairman of the Federal Council of the public organization Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of Azerbaijanis of Russia Mehriban Sadigova spoke at the round table about the fact that Russian-Azerbaijani relations have very deep historical roots:
“We see what kind of mutually respectful relationship we have among ourselves, and what kind of mutual understanding. Naturally, this is reflected in our events. For me personally, for example, it is a matter of pride that my native school, which I graduated from - a Russian school in a small town - is 140 years old! That is, this school was opened in 1883 even before the revolution! And this shows that, in fact, Russian-Azerbaijani friendly relations are counted not for decades, but for centuries.
I am very happy and believe that our efforts as a public organization to strengthen our relations will not be in vain, because we put our whole soul into this.”
At the end of the round table “The Role of Public Diplomacy in the Development of Russian-Azerbaijani Relations,” experts took part in recording an information program on Radio Sputnik-Azerbaijan. Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly Andrey Belyaninov, Deputy Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, Director of the SCO National Center for Public Diplomacy Stanislav Korolev, Deputy Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, President of the Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio, Honorary Cinematographer of Russia, Academician of the International Academy of Management, Candidate of Philosophy Valery Ruzin and the First Deputy Head of the General Secretariat of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, coordinator of the International Competition "Leader of Public Diplomacy", political scientist Natalia Zabolotskikh shared the results of the round table, spoke about the activities of the Assembly: projects for the preservation of historical memory, the international competition "Leader of Public Diplomacy", the activities of the National Center for Public Diplomacy of the SCO in Russia.
The organizers of the International Round Table “The Role of Public Diplomacy in the Development of Russian-Azerbaijani Relations” were the International Union of Non-Governmental Organizations “Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly” and the All-Russian Public Organization “Assembly of the Peoples of Russia” as part of the implementation of the International Competition “Leader of Public Diplomacy”, which is held with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation.
The topic of the round table was of enormous interest. About 100 participants gathered at the Russian House in Baku - representatives of government agencies, prominent public figures and cultural figures, representatives of non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, youth and national-cultural public associations, the scientific and educational community of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, participants in the "People's Leader" competition diplomacy", experts in public diplomacy, media representatives. Among them: Abbasov Tofik Mohsen oglu, political commentator for Azerbaijani television; Alexander Aigistov, President of the Russian Municipal Academy, President of the National Union of Non-Profit Organizations, First Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Assembly of Peoples of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences; Bakhshalieva Govhar, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Doctor of Philology, Professor; Velizade Ilgar, director of Radio Sputnik-Azerbaijan; Gulamov Arzu, Member of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan, Academician of the Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio; Julfayev Alaverdi, Public figure, head coach of the Azerbaijani Paralympic swimming team, Honored swimming coach of Azerbaijan, Knight of the Order of Glory; Lavrina Anastasia, political commentator, first deputy chairman of the Russian community of Azerbaijan; Mammadzadeh Ilham, Director of the Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy; Mansurov Enver, screenwriter, director and other prominent figures of science, culture, and public figures.
The International event was supported by: the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Directorate of the World Social Summit, the State Duma Committee on Issues of Nationalities, the Commission of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation on Interethnic, Interreligious Relations and Migration, the All-Russian Public Movement “Co-creation of Peoples in the Name of Life” (Senezhsky Forum) and others.
