Newark, NJ and Ganja, Azerbaijan Celebrates Sister Cities

CITY OFFICIALS MEET AND EXCHANGE GIFTS AND AGREEMENTS

Newark, NJ –The cities of Newark, NJ, USA and Ganja, Azerbaijan have officially become sister cities.

At a meeting at the City Hall of Newark, NJ earlier this month, representatives of the two cities met to exchange greetings and cement the relationship between the cities. Newark Deputy Mayor Ronald Rice represented Newark Mayor Sharpe James at a ceremony attended by Dr. Ferhad Jafarov, an official of the Azerbaijan Republic State Committee on Affairs of Azerbaijanis Living Abroad. Deputy Mayor Rice presented Dr. Jafarov, who represented the city of Ganja, with a Protocol Agreement, a key to the City of Newark, and a gift of a book documenting the history of Newark, NJ.

Also attending the ceremony was Ms. Tomris Azeri, President of the Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA). The ASA, which has its US national headquarters in Newark, was instrumental in arranging the sister city affiliation.

Dr. Jafarov and Ms. Azeri extended to Newark officials an invitation to visit the cities of Ganja and the Azerbaijan capital of Baku and also presented gifts of a plaque which featured an Azerbaijani carpet as well as a books about Azerbaijan.

"The city of Newark boasts the largest diversity among cultures in the state. Recognition such as this serves to bridge the gap between cultures and builds a greater understanding among people," said Mayor James in a statement issued by his office.

Ganja Mayor Eldar Ezizov had already signed the protocal Agreement in April, 2004 in a ceremony in Ganja which was attended by Ms. Azeri.

"We are planning future cultural events which will further cement the relationship between New Jersey and Azerbaijan," says Ms. Azeri. "There are a large number of Azerbaijanis living in the area and we are considering events at both the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Rutgers University in New Jersey and at Carnegie Hall in New York City."