Greetings from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Washington, DC. In this edition of the news digest, you will find stories about the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games, Azerbaijan’s participation at Arab Islamic American Summit, as well as about Azerbaijan-U.S. relations. To learn more about the Embassy’s activities, please remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Opening ceremony of Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games (PHOTO,VIDEO)
Trend News Agency

The opening ceremony of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games held in the Baku Olympic Stadium on May 12. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva took part in the event. Over 3,000 athletes from 54 countries, around 2,000 representatives of teams and technical staff were taking part in the games. Azerbaijan was represented by 325 athletes.

Mehriban Aliyeva: Baku 2017 – a bright new chapter in Azerbaijan’s dynamic development (PHOTO)
Trend News Agency

The Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games are a bright new chapter in Azerbaijan’s dynamic development, said Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chair of the Baku 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games Organising Committee. She was addressing the Opening Ceremony of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku May 12. “Tonight we are proud hosts of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, a celebration of unity and sport. We are very honored to host the Games,” said Mehriban Aliyeva. “Today, Azerbaijan welcomes the entire Islamic world! I sincerely greet thousands of athletes from across four continents as well as guests to our capital, and extend my welcome to them all.”

Commentary: Azerbaijan a partner for economy, peace for state
The Daily Herald

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the U.S., Elin Suleymanov writes: “Azerbaijan, a strategically located partner of the United States in the Caspian region, is emerging as a key transportation hub along the historic Silk Road as demonstrated by Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Airlines’ recent purchase of 10 new Boeing 737-Max 8 aircraft to be built at Boeing’s plant in Renton. While offering economic opportunities and stabilizing energy supplies, Azerbaijan stands with the U.S. in struggling against terrorism and striving for a more peaceful world.”

President Ilham Aliyev attends Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh (PHOTO)
Trend News Agency

The Arab Islamic American Summit was held in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud welcomed Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev and other heads of state and government at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre. United under a single vision – Together We Prevail – this highly anticipated event, the first of its kind in history, renewed the mutual commitment to global security and further strengthened already deep business, cultural and political ties.

MFA spokesperson Hikmat Hajiyev’s interview to John Batchelor
The John Batchelor Show

Listen to the John Batchelor show as spokesperson of Azerbaijan’s MFA, Hikmat Hajiyev talks about country’s energy policy and Jewish community.

US invites Azerbaijan to jointly solve global energy issues
Trend News Agency

US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry has invited Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Natig Aliyev to joint participation in solving global energy issues, said the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry in a message. Perry, in his response letter to the Azerbaijani minister, expressed gratitude for congratulations on the occasion of his appointment to the post of the US Secretary of Energy.

President Ilham Aliyev meets Executive Vice Chairman of Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
Trend News Agency

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Malcolm Hoenlein on May 16. Hoenlein recalled his meeting and a very interesting conversation with national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. Hoenlein said the American Jewish community is planning to invest in the construction of a Jewish school in Azerbaijan. Hoenlein hailed the Azerbaijani-U.S. relations, particularly Azerbaijan’s successful cooperation with American Jews. He stressed the importance of strengthening this cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev remembered their meeting with Hoenlein, which took place during his previous visit to Azerbaijan with a large delegation. The president noted that Azerbaijan`s Jewish community co-exists together with members of other nationalities in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Baku hosts Closing Ceremony of 4th Islamic Solidarity Games (PHOTO, VIDEO)
Trend News Agency

The Official Closing Ceremony of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games was held at the Baku Olympic Stadium on May 22. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva took part in the Closing Ceremony. More than 3,000 athletes representing 54 countries competed for 269 sets of medals at the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku. Azerbaijan took the lead in medal standings at the Games on May 22. Azerbaijani athletes won 75 gold, 50 silver and 37 bronze medals. Turkey ranked second with 71 gold medals, 67 silver and 57 bronze medals. Iran ranked third with 39 gold, 26 silver and 33 bronze medals.

On the Road to Baku: Azerbaijan believes its success is because of tolerance and transparency
The John Batchelor Show

Listen to the John Batchelor Show as Etibar Najafov talks about multiculturalism in Azerbaijan.

“Ali and Nino” premiered in Washington [PHOTO]
Azernews

A film “Ali and Nino” was screened in Navy Memorial and Navy Heritage Center in Washington, DC. The premiere was co-organized by the Azerbaijani and Georgian embassies in the United States. The premiere of the film, produced by Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, was attended by nearly 300 people, including the US Administration and Congress officials, high-ranking diplomats and ambassadors accredited in Washington, representatives of think tanks and public figures.