A meeting with the Azerbaijani community living in the Southeast Asia was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The meeting was attended by Diaspora representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and South Korea.

The event began with the playing of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan. Then, the dear memory of the martyrs who died for the territorial integrity of our country was commemorated with a minute's silence.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Malaysia Irfan Davudov congratulated our compatriots on this event, which took place for the first time in the history of the diaspora, and said that diaspora activities add strength to the power of the embassies.

Ambassador Elchin Bashirov said that the embassy of Azerbaijan in Thailand has just begun its activity and is always ready to support diaspora activists.

Participants were informed about the diaspora policy of our country, large-scale projects implemented by the Committee, including Coordination Councils, Azerbaijani Houses, weekend schools operating abroad, Summer Camps of the Diaspora Youth, specialized forums held by the Committee, etc.

Recalling President Ilham Aliyev's recommendations to our compatriots sounded at the 5th Congress of the World Azerbaijanis (Victory Congress), the chairman has noted that the Azerbaijanis of the world, including the Azerbaijani community in the Southeast Asia, remain loyal to the ideology of Azerbaijanism and actively participate in the propagation of the Azerbaijani truths.

After the mutual exchange of views and comprehensive answers to the questions of our compatriots, the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis living in the Southeast Asian region was established on the proposal of Diaspora representatives. Elchin Huseynov was selected as co-coordinator for Malaysia, Ali Huseynli for Indonesia, Gunduz Gasimli and Elshan Bannayev for Thailand, Tarana Babayeva for the Philippines, Ali Alizade for Vietnam, Fuad Imamguliyev for Cambodia and Jamil Valiyev for South Korea. Thus, the number of Coordination Councils of Azerbaijanis has reached 16.

The event included a presentation of the book "Writing in the heart" in Malay, which consists of works by Azerbaijani writers.

The ceremony was attended by Zahir bin Hassan, head of the Malaysian Parliamentary Friendship Group for the West Asia region, Vira Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman, secretary general of the Ministry of Tourism of Malaysia, Hasnol Zam Zam, Secretary General of the Ministry of National Unity, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, mayor of Kuala Lumpur, ambassadors accredited to Malaysia, university rectors and library directors.

Nur Amin Ahmad, head of the Malaysian Institute of Translation & Books, said that the book appeared as a fruitful result of close cooperation with the State Committee on Work with Diaspora and the embassy of Azerbaijan in Malaysia.

The meeting concluded with a performance by the “Karabakh” mugham group. People's artist Mansum Ibrahimov, singer Chinara Malikzade were accompanied by People's artist Elchin Hashimov in tar, Honored artist Elnur Ahmadov in kamancha, and Honored artist Kamran Karimov in nagara.