On Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 opening ceremony of Center of Azerbaijani and Caspian Studies has taken place in the small auditorium of the Charles University. The event started with a Roundtable commemorating the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan featuring Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies Mr. Jan Hamacek, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Mr. Milan Hovorka, Director of the Institute of Near Eastern and African Studies Prof. Eduard Gombar, art historian of the Ostrava Museum Mr. David Majer, Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jan Kohout, representatives of diplomatic missions in Prague, as well as ambassadors of Georgia, Belarus, Poland, Moldova, Turkey and Ukraine.

In his opening speech Ambassador T. Taghizade spoke about the history of Azerbaijan since gaining the independence in 1991, mentioning Azerbaijan's priorities, occupied territories and promotion strategies for other areas than oil, caviar and Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Following Mr. Jan Hamacek expressed his satisfaction with the intensive progress of Czech-Azerbaijani relations, stressing recent visit of Mr. Vaclav Klaus to Azerbaijan. Mr Hamacek emphasized that these relations are not limited with energy issues, but also include culture, tourism, student exchange etc.

In his speech, Mr. Milan Hovorka, characterized Azerbaijan as a privilege country, having huge intellectual potentials, natural resources and ability to use them rationally and efficiently. Deputy minister made a wide report on economic relations between two countries, about Azerbaijani oil exported to the Czech Republic, Czech companies functioning in Azerbaijan and investing in non-oil sector, cooperation within the EU's Eastern Partnership Programme, possibility of signing free trade agreement between Azerbaijan and EU.

Speeches followed by Prof. Eduard Gombar and Mr. David Mayer.

The event ended with tasting of Azerbaijani cuisine and wines.