The Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) has hosted a meeting with the foreign participants of the International Media Forum on "Global trends, news challenges in media” organized by Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency in Shusha on the occasion of the National Press Day.

The guests first viewed the new building of AZERTAC. They were informed that the new building was constructed in accordance with a relevant Order of the President of Azerbaijan. The building has nine floors and a basement (parking lot).

They familiarized themselves with the exhibits displayed in the museum section of the new building which highlights the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in various media events, their interviews with local and foreign media, the address of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief to the people during the Second Karabakh war, his visits to regions liberated from the occupation.

The representatives of foreign media outlets also familiarized themselves with working conditions in AZERTAC's newsrooms, multimedia editorial office and other departments, and talked with staff members. The new building, which is provided with cutting-edge technologies and office equipment, has all the conditions for the effective work of both journalists and technical staff. The building has newsrooms in accordance with international standards, studios equipped with multimedia facilities, an operational round table and a television system.

Addressing the meeting held with the participations of foreign guests, AZERTAC Chairman of Board Aslan Aslanov emphasized the importance of holding the International Media Forum in Shusha. Noting that the Forum featured discussions regarding the media development, new trends in the field of information, exchange of experience, Aslan Aslanov said that the vast majority of foreign guests joined the event at the invitation of AZERTAC.

“Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur which are the most beautiful corners of Azerbaijan, have remained under the occupation of Armenia for almost thirty years. The cities, villages, historical and cultural heritage in those areas were completely destroyed, and the guests have witnessed this vandalism with their own eyes while they visited Fuzuli and the cultural capital Shusha,” Aslan Aslanov mentioned.

AZERTAC Chairman of Board Aslan Aslanov noted that large-scale reconstruction works are currently underway in the liberated territories following the glorious victory under the leadership of President, Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev in the 44-day Patriotic War, adding that the Great Return has already started.

Aslan Aslanov also highlighted the AZERTAC’s history, and achievements, as well as the agency`s international relations. AZERTAC, which published its first report on 2 March 1920, is currently member of 11 international and regional media outlets.

At present, Azerbaijan represented by AZERTAC is one of the 13 members of the News Agencies World Council with the right to vote. AZERTAC is a vice-president of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), and a bureau member of the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA).

Saying that he has witnessed great restoration and reconstruction work during his visit to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Azerbaijan-Iraq Friendship Society Professor Matz Muhi Abdulhamid Obada noted that these works demonstrate the strength and power of the Azerbaijani state.

Deputy Editor-in-chief of the global information editorial office of Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA) Abror Gulamov said that the two brotherly countries have experienced the same history and culture. The presidents of both countries are successfully continuing these friendly relations between the two countries, adding that the national news agencies make a great contribution to this work.

Head of the Department of Communications Department of the Presidential Administration of Turkiye Abbas Gokhan Olmez hailed the brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. He emphasized the importance of the International Media Forum in terms of conveying Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh war to the world community.

Director of foreign relations and strategic development of the Union of Organization of Islamic Conference News Agencies (UNA) Yunus Labbu pointed out that the UNA has always supported Azerbaijan in the Karabakh issue and will continue provide this support in the future. He emphasized the importance of cooperation with AZERTAC with the UNA in terms of conveying the truths of Azerbaijan to the world community.

First Deputy Director General of Russia's TASS news agency Mikhail Gusman said that today AZERTAC is recognized as a reliable source of information in the global media space. Emphasizing that all conditions have been created for the productive activity and development of free media in Azerbaijan, Gusman said: "I have always emphasized the existence of free media in Azerbaijan. The International Media Forum held in Shusha once again confirmed that there is a free media in Azerbaijan.”

The participants expressed their gratitude for the high-level organization of the International Media Forum and the hospitality at the meeting, which continued with live discussions.