The head of the Public Liberties and Human Rights Desk of the Al-Jazeera Media Network, Sami Al-Hajj, visiting Azerbaijan at the invitation of the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) and the IEPF President Umud Mirzayev met with the Azerbaijani President`s Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov on Wednesday.
Sami Al-Hajj expressed that Al-Jazeera pays special attention to the reportage regarding Azerbaijan, stating that the interview conducted with the Azerbaijani President by Al-Jazeera English caused a serious interest in the Arab world.
He praised the fair position of Azerbaijani government and media outlets regarding the situation around Qatar.
Within his trip to Azerbaijan Sami Al-Hajj had visited Gabala, Oghuz, Sheki regions and highly appreciated tourism potential of Azerbaijan. Visiting the war-affected regions of Azerbaijan, the guest got acquainted with the ruined villages, monuments as a result of war. He also visited the monument that was built in 1978 in Maraga village of Tartar region on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Armenians’ movement to Nagorno-Karabakh. He highly appreciated works done by the government for the improvement of IDPs’ life condition and restoration of infrastructure in Tartar and Barda regions. He also pointed out that the IEPF’s socio-humanitarian projects in war-affected regions are the important factor in peace-building process. Sami Al-Hajj said that they are pleased to collaborate with the IEPF.
Azerbaijani President`s Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov underlined the importance of cooperation with Al-Jazeera. Hasanov, stressing the IEPF’s activity in expanding cooperation between Al-Jazeera and Azerbaijani media, highly appraised Al-Jazeera’s experience and potential.
Expressing satisfaction with fact that Sami Al-Hajj is in the Azerbaijan’s friend list, Hasanov said he attaches great importance to implementation of joint projects for development of relations. He also noted the significance of the “Peace and Journalism” international event which will be held in Baku late 2017 at the initiatives of the IEPF President Umud Mirzayev, Al-Jazeera and Azerbaijan Press Council.
At the end of the meeting Ali Hasanov was honored with the Crystal Award of Al-Jazeera.