Azerbaijan`s first lady, president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva has met with a delegation led by member of the National Assembly of the French Republic, President of the Association of Friends of Azerbaijan in France Jean-Francois Mancel.

The first lady hailed the participation of members of the French National Assembly in the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum and in events relating to Pope Francis`s visit to the country.

Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her confidence that the visit will be a good opportunity for the French delegation to familiarize themselves with the country.

The first lady pointed to the increasing number of members of the Association, adding that this contributes to further strengthening Azerbaijani-French ties.

The president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation praised the two countries` ties, and emphasized cooperation in humanitarian and educational fields.

Mehriban Aliyeva said relations between Azerbaijani and French regions and cities have strengthened across the last years.

The first lady said sistership agreements opened new opportunities for expanding the bilateral cooperation. Mehriban Aliyeva noted that a monument to Azerbaijani poet Mahsati Ganjavi will be erected in the French city of Cognac in October.

Jean-Francois Mancel commended the opening of the Azerbaijan Village in Paris as an important step towards strengthening the bilateral ties.

The President of the Association of Friends of Azerbaijan in France stressed the importance of the events held in Baku. He said such contacts give a message to the world that peaceful co-existence of representatives of various religions and cultures is possible.