Azerbaijan's Independence Day celebrated in

Azerbaijan's Independence Day celebrated in Brussels

13:09 30 May 2025 Read: 260

The Azerbaijani Embassy in the Kingdom of Belgium organized an official reception in Brussels to mark May 28 – Independence Day.

The event was attended by representatives of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union, members of the diplomatic corps in Brussels, scientific and art figures, media representatives, and members of the Azerbaijani community.

In his address, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of the Mission to the European Union, Vagif Sadigov, spoke about the historical significance of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) – the first democratic republic of the Muslim East – and the sacrifice of the sons of the homeland who gave their lives for the liberation and territorial integrity of the country.

The ambassador noted that against the backdrop of geostrategic tensions and the fragmentation of the international order, Azerbaijan has put forward initiatives based on peace, dialogue, and mutual trust, grounded in the norms and principles of international law, as a reliable and active country.

Vagif Sadigov emphasized that Azerbaijan has hosted numerous international events focusing on cooperation and multilateralism, citing the country’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement from 2019 to 2023. He highlighted Baku’s successful hosting of the 2024 Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and the reaching of an agreement on climate finance as part of Azerbaijan’s contribution to key international processes.

According to him, Azerbaijan will host the World Urban Forum and the Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2026. He also underlined the dynamically developing relations between Azerbaijan and both the European Union and Belgium.

The diplomat spoke about the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that the agreement reached in March this year on a peace treaty has brought the prospect of peace closer, playing a vital role in the future development of the South Caucasus region.

The event also featured performances by professional Azerbaijani musicians and dancers living in European countries, who showcased national music and dances. The reception was broadcast live on RadiOcto, Europe’s first Azerbaijani internet radio station, founded in Belgium this year.