ATAA Joins Azerbaijani Community in New York

New York, NY, October 19, 2007— In celebration of the 16th Anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the 50th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), ATAA representatives Allison Block, Advocacy Director; Gamze Ergur, Project Director; and ATAA Board of Directors Members President Nurten Ural, and Secretary General Oya Bain, joined the Azerbaijani Community in New York for a day of ceremonies and celebrations.

ATAA New York Region Vice-President Tomris Azeri, the founder of the Azerbaijan Society of America, organized the entire day’s activities and served as the mistress of ceremonies. The day began with a flag raising of the Azeri and American flags in Bowling Green Park at the tip of Manhattan, the singing of the American and Azerbaijani national anthems, and an official declaration from the Mayor of New York, Mr. Michael Bloomberg.

Later that evening, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz hosted a ceremony and reception at Brooklyn Borough Hall. The ceremony consisted of presentations, awards and music, to an audience of numerous dignitaries from both the United States and Azerbaijan, including H.E. Yashar Aliyev Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States; Ambassador Akshin Mehtiyev, the Permanent Mision of Azerbaijan to the United Nations; Ambassador Irakli Alasania of Permanent Mission of Georgia to UN, Ms Valentina Chirica, from Permanent Mission of Moldova to UN, Ms. Ganire Paheyeva, Member of the Parliament of Azerbaijan; Mehmet Samsar Consul General of Turkey; Elin Suleymanov, Consul General of Azerbaijan to Los Angeles; Dr. Samuel Kliger from American Jewish Committee, Mr. Shahin, Representing National Security Ministry of Azerbaijan, Mr. Javid Huseynov, Azerbaijan American Council and Representatives of Azerbaijan State Committee Working with Azerbaijanis abroad.

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Contact:
Nurten Ural, President ATAA
Allison Block, Advocacy Director, ATAA
Tel: 202.483.9090
E-mail: president@ataa.org