The opening of the exhibition "Azerbaijan on the Path to Sovereign Statehood" organized at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Bulgaria and the Center of the Azerbaijani Language and Culture at Sofia University took place in Sofia.

The Director of the Center of Azerbaijani Language and Culture at Sofia University Sofia Shigayeva-Mitreska announced the beginning of the official part of the opening of the exhibition "Azerbaijan on the Path to State Sovereignty", which took place 17 October in the central lobby of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski".

Among the speakers were the Vice-Rector of the Sofia University for International Affairs Prof. Reneta Bozhankova, the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Bulgaria Chingiz Garibli, the Dean of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology Prof. Gergana Petkova.

"Azerbaijan is an example of how a country can successfully combine loyalty to its national values ​​with the development of partnership and dialogue with other countries around the world. Of course, a special place among them is occupied by the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria - two countries connected by deep historical, cultural and spiritual ties, with over 30 years of history of diplomatic relations, which have reached the level of strategic partnership," Sofia Shigayeva-Mitreska addressed the attendees.

"The year 2025 has been declared the 'Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty' in Azerbaijan. It marks two important anniversaries – 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1995 and the fifth anniversary of the victory in the Karabakh War in 2020, which allowed for the full restoration of national sovereignty under the professional and decisive leadership of President Ilham Aliyev," said Chingiz Garibli, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria, during the opening of the exhibition. "The 1995 Constitution marked a turning point in the history of Azerbaijan. Drafted under the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev, it laid a solid legal foundation for state governance, guaranteed the protection of human and civil rights, and affirmed the principles of independence and national sovereignty", the Azerbaijani diplomat emphasized.

The Vice-Rector of Sofia University for International Affairs Prof. Reneta Bojankova described the opening of the exhibition "Azerbaijan on the Path to State Sovereignty" at Sofia University as a symbol of respect and friendship between the Bulgarian and Azerbaijani people.

"The mission of the university is to educate and defend the freedom of students - to be brave and stand up for their positions," commented the Dean of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" Prof. Gergana Petkova.

The official ceremony ended with an Azerbaijani folk dance performed by a student from Sofia University and a cocktail.