Submitted by AZERTAC on

Baku, October 17 AzerTAc
Director General of Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency (AzerTAc) Aslan Aslanov has said Azerbaijani-Egyptian relations had ancient history.
“Politicians, scholars and cultural figures contribute to the development and enrichment of these ties,” said Mr. Aslanov as he met head of the Department of Arabic Language at Arabic Studies Faculty at Ain Shams University Tarek Shalaby and professor at the Faculty Islam el-Sharkawy.
Mr. Aslanov provided an insight into AzerTAc`s history and achievements, as well as the agency`s role in ensuring the government`s information policy.
He hailed national leader Heydar Aliyev’s role in the establishment and development of relations between the two nations.
“As a result of President Ilham Aliyev`s and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva`s activity our cooperation was expanded in various fields.”
Mr. Aslanov said: “Literature plays a special role in strengthening relations and friendship between the countries and nations. There was a strong school exploring the Arabic literature and studying works of Arabic poets and writers in Azerbaijan.”
The Director General hailed indispensable services of outstanding Orientalist Aida Imanguliyeva.
“Aida Imanguliyeva had a new vision of the Arabic literature, especially the activities of exile writers. Her methods had been educated at universities and praised by orientalists of the Soviet Union, as well as Azerbaijan,” said Mr. Aslanov.
The Director General said that as literature the media also had a mission of developing and deepening intercultural dialogue.
“The media delivers these thoughts back to the society. It at least plays the role of a bridge among nations.”
Tarek Shalaby hailed Azerbaijan`s development. He said both countries shared common features and ties. The professor praised AzerTAc`s role in raising the Egyptian society`s and the entire Arab world`s awareness of the realities about Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Khojaly massacre.
He said about hundred Egyptians were studying Azerbaijani language and literature at Ain Shams University.
The professor said they were visiting Azerbaijan to join an international conference marking the 75th anniversary of prominent Orientalist Aida Imanguliyeva.
Mr. Shalaby said he was a constant reader of AzerTAc, adding the agency was the main source of news about Azerbaijan for him.
The professor said he was happy that one of his students used to work at AzerTAc, and suggested holding courses for employees of the agency`s Arabic news service at Ain Shams University.
Director of the Egyptian Culture Centre, Cultural Eattaché of the Embassy Ahmad Sami was also present at the meeting.
The Egyptian delegation also conducted training for employees of AzerTAc.

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