Nantes is one of the French cities where Azerbaijanis live compactly and where the process of community consolidation is progressing rapidly. Employees of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan met with the Azerbaijani community in Nantes.

The meeting began with the playing of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the respectful commemoration of the heroic sons who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of our country.

Vagif Seyidbayov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, noted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s diaspora policy has been elevated to a higher stage, and highly praised the solidarity of our compatriots living in France, including Nantes. It was emphasized that the Azerbaijani state consistently demonstrated its firm support for compatriots living abroad, and implemented consistent and multifaceted projects aimed at protecting their rights, preserving our national identity, and forming a strong diaspora network. Within this policy, the organization of our communities operating in various countries, strengthening their ties with one another, and ensuring they act from a unified position has been defined as one of the priority directions.

At the meeting, detailed information was provided on Coordination Councils, Azerbaijan Houses, weekend Azerbaijani schools, as well as specialized forums and other initiatives organized in foreign countries, all of which serve to centralize and mobilize the activities of Azerbaijanis worldwide more effectively.

An open and constructive exchange of views was held with community members, and numerous proposals were heard regarding the acceleration of the community consolidation process, the more effective organization of activities, and the elimination of existing problems. It was stated that the ideas voiced will be taken into account in future action plans.

It should be noted that regular meetings of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora with Azerbaijani communities in various countries have already become a tradition. The work carried out in this direction makes a significant contribution to increasing the international influence of the Azerbaijani diaspora and to the more effective protection of our country’s interests.