"Agreement on friendly relations" was signed between Gabala city of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Gyeongju city of the Republic of Korea.

The delegation headed by the mayor of Gyeongju city of the Republic of Korea made a trip to Gabala region on March 15. The guests were met by the head of the Region Executive Power Sabuhi Abdullayev. Girls in national clothes told the guests about the Novruz holiday, offered them sweets. First, members of the delegation visited and laid flowers to the monument to the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. Then the ceremony of signing the "Agreement on friendly relations" between Gyeongju city and Gabala region was held in the Gabala Culture Center. The document was signed by Sabuhi Abdullayev, the head of the Gabala Region Executive Power and Mayor of Gyeongju city, Choi Yang-sik. In accordance with the agreement, both sides will try to expand mutual scientific research in the field of history, culture and archaeology, will strengthen relations in the field of tourism, industry, economy and education, and implement exchange programs in the youth, sports and private sectors. The ceremony was attended by the members of delegation of the Republic of Korea, executive officials of the Gabala Region Executive Power, as well as Irina Zeynalova, deputy chairperson of the Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association (Seoul-Baku - SEBA), and Irada Najafova, head of the Training and International Relations Department of the organization. Speaking at the event, the Head of the Region Executive Power Sabuhi Abdullayev told about the historical, cultural life of Gabala, reported on various projects implemented in the socio-economic and tourist sphere and the achieved successes. As it was reported, there is mutual cooperation between our countries. In recent years, with the organizational support of SEBA the Korean Film Festival and Art Exhibition have been organized in Gabala, conditions for the activity of Korean archaeologists in our republic have been created. Mayor of Gyeongju city thanked for attention and hospitality. He noted that he was amazed at the socio-economic development, as well as the picturesque nature of Gabala, and pleasant impressions from acquaintance will not be erased from his memory. The guest from Korea expressed his confidence that cooperation between the two cities will continue in many areas and successful results will be achieved. He invited the "Gabala" football team to the international competitions that will be held in Gyeongju in August this year, noted that in the future mutual visits will be organized and opportunities for effective cooperation of business people will be created. Then the delegation of the Republic of Korea got acquainted with the ruins of the ancient city of Gabala in Chukhur Gabala village and with the results of archaeological excavations conducted on the territory. As reported, Gabala, being one of the most ancient cities of Azerbaijan, has a very rich history. The ancient architectural monuments of the national importance existing in this area are considered unique pearls of our cultural heritage. The guests received information about the history, culture and ethnography of Gabala city, which was the capital of the Caucasian Albania for 900 years. As reported, in the summer of 2009, the Azerbaijani-Korean archaeological expedition started its activities on the initiative and with the financial and organizational support of the Azerbaijan-Korean Cultural Exchange Association SEBA. Since then, archaeological studies have been conducted in the territory of Gabala, the capital of the state of Caucasian Albania, and subsequently an important city in the history of Azerbaijan and the entire east, as well as in the suburban areas dating from the Palaeolithic, Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age. It was noted that archaeological research in Gabala was conducted by a team consisting of the staff of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of ANAS and specialists from several scientific centers of Korea. Pieces of material culture, discovered during archaeological excavations, allow us to imagine the ancient urban planning in Gabala and the level of urban life. Korean guests reviewed these samples in the exhibition hall of the archaeological center in Chukhur Gabala village. The guests watched a video showing the process of archaeological excavations conducted in Gabala by Korean scientists, and the socio-economic development of the area, and listened to mugham performed by local musicians. Then the members of the delegation, who thoroughly acquainted with the production process at the "Beltmann" piano factory, were informed that the company assembles the world famous piano "Beltmann". The factory is capable to produce 1200-1500 pianos per year. The guests also got acquainted with the Gabala regional center of "ASAN service", the process of making chips in the Gilan Gida Town, the products of the Gabala lemonade plant and the fruit juice enterprise, as well as with tourist sites around Nohur Lake and modern five-star hotels built in the region in last years.