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On behalf the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I offer sincere congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of France - Bastille Day.
The Azerbaijan-France relations enjoy all-round development. Our steps towards strengthening the intergovernmental relations are accompanied by dynamic and effective cooperation both on the bilateral level and within the European Union's programs.
The humanitarian area occupies an important place in our multifaceted ties. In this sense, events, which you plan to hold as part of a "Season of Azerbaijan's culture" in your country, will undoubtedly contribute to bringing our nations closer to each other, once more proving that their national-cultural heritage assumes a universal importance.
Mr. President, the fact that the results of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which led to the violation of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and occupation of our lands, have not yet been eliminated remains the most painful problem of ours. We pin great hopes on efforts of France as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and on you personally in finding a peaceful, prompt and fair resolution to the conflict on the basis of international legal norms.
With best impressions I recall our meetings and talks. I hope that you will visit Azerbaijan in the nearest future - when it is convenient for you - and we will meet with you in Baku.
On this important day, I wish you robust health, successes in your activities and all people of France prosperity and progress.

Respectfully,
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku, July 2, 2010