November 19, 2014
BROOKLYN, NY, November 19, 2014: Yesterday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams signed a sister city agreement between Brooklyn and the Sabail district of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in a ceremony held in the courtroom of Brooklyn Borough Hall. An estimated 4000-5000 Azeries live in Brooklyn, most of them residing in the Sheepshead Bay area. Borough President Adams spoke to the importance of this community, as well as the significance of advancing the borough’s many cultural ties through the creation of sister cities.
“Today, the Sabail district of Baku and Brooklyn are united, committed towards furthering each other’s futures,” said Borough President Adams. “There is so much we have to share with our new sister city, and the cultural and economic exchange that will result from this partnership will advance both of our societies. We are proud of Brooklyn’s Azeri community, and I believe that this agreement will help highlight their contributions to a greater part of our borough.”
Asif Asgarov, head of the Sabail District Executive Power, joined Borough President Adams for the ceremonial signing exchange, which is intended to further collaboration in cultural and economic affairs; other participants in the ceremony included the My Way Development Center, whose youth performed a traditional Azeri dance.
“I’m very delighted to be here and take the opportunity to express my gratitude to Borough President Adams for inviting us to Brooklyn and making this partnership take effect,” said Asgarov. “I believe that the protocol that we have signed today will give additional impetus to the cultural as well as people-to-people exchange.”
This May, Borough President Adams signed two sister city agreements while visiting China, with Yiwu and the Chaoyang district of Beijing. It is his intent to continue exploring other potential global partners that could become sister cities to Brooklyn.
PHOTOS
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, assisted by Marietta Rozental, a member of Brooklyn’s Azeri community, joins Asif Asgarov, head of the Sabail District Executive Power, in signing a sister city agreement between Brooklyn and the Sabail district of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in a ceremony held in the courtroom of Brooklyn Borough Hall.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Asif Asgarov, head of the Sabail District Executive Power, shake hands after signing a sister city agreement between Brooklyn and the Sabail district of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in a ceremony held in the courtroom of Brooklyn Borough Hall; they are joined by (from left to right) Marietta Rozental, a member of Brooklyn’s Azeri community; Mammad Talibov, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the United States; and Ertan Yalçın, Consul General of Turkey in New York.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams celebrates the signing of a sister city agreement between Brooklyn and the Sabail district of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, with members of My Way Development Center, whose youth performed a traditional Azeri dance to honor the occasion, in the rotunda of Brooklyn Borough Hall; they are joined by Marietta Rozental (back far left), a member of Brooklyn’s Azeri community; Alyona Badalova (back second from far left), director of the My Way Development Center; Ama Dwimoh (back third from far right), special counsel to Borough President Adams; Asif Asgarov (back second from far right), head of the Sabail District Executive Power; and Ertan Yalçın (back far right), Consul General of Turkey in New York.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/Brooklyn BP’s Office
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