An official visit to the
United States of America

A delegation of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society made an official visit to Washington, capital of America with the invitation of the American Red Cross Society from 4th to 6th of June. A delegation included the president of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society Novruz Aslanov, executive general Baylar Talibov and the chairman of the Youth Committee Shaban Shayev.

The objective of the visit was to develop the further cooperation between the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society and the American Red Cross Society in the framework of the International Red Cross and Crescent Movement's strategy and mission.

The other objective of the visit was collecting the information on the American Red Cross Society's activities and experience exchange. The discussions and meetings were organized in the framework of the visit. The first steps in the further cooperation was one of the main objectives of the visit. The delegation of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society was officially invited to the headquarter of the American Red Cross Society by the vice presidents Mr. David Meltzer and Mrs. Kerry Santos on the 5th of June. Afterwards, the meeting took place with Mr. Mark Preslan-the director of the American Red Cross Society's International Service on Europe, Asia and Pacific Ocean.

Then Azerbajian delegation got acquainted with the Emergency Response Center in the Headquarter of the American Red Cross Society. There were interesting presentations and different discussions on the technical equipments, settle light systems and their working principles, rescue automobiles, activities and services for people. The president of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society had discussion on future cooperation with the colloquies of this center.

After dinner Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society's delegation held meetings with the different departments of the American Red Cross Society as Scott Konner- vise-president on Health and Safety Service, Kevin Braun-chief operating officer, Gregg O'Ryon-senior director of the client services, Kit Hop-senior associate on the dissemination of international humanitarian law, Phebean Cole-senior associate of the international humanitarian law and Chapter Support. Presentations in these meetings were very interesting because of the similarities of the activities.

Azerbaijan delegation was guided by Amir Liberti and Yossi Aves-the members of executive committee of Israel National Society Magen David Adom The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society estimated this visit as the first step in the formation of the friendship relations between the American and Azerbaijan national Societies. It is worth to note that plenipotentiary ambassador of the Azerbaijan Republic to the United States of America Yashar Aliev and all the colleagues of the embassy supported the Azerbaijan delegation on the high level.