A gala concert marking the 70th anniversary of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University, MGIMO) of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been held at the State Kremlin Palace in the Russian capital.

Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu and a delegation of MGIMO graduates from Azerbaijan attended the concert.

The concert was part of the Second International Forum of graduates of MGIMO which opened in Moscow on October 13 to celebrate the university`s jubilee.

In his opening remarks, Russian President Vladimir Putin said MGIMO provided its graduates with "fundamental, in-depth knowledge that allows them to effectively maintain the most complex negotiations and to be always on top".

Rector of the University Anatoly Torkunov said the second forum brought together more than 1,000 MGIMO graduates from 50 countries, including outstanding politicians, public figures, businessmen and academics. He said the forum continues the tradition which was started in 2013 in Baku, where the first meeting of MGIMO graduates was held on the initiative of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Mr. Torkunov told the forum participants about the opening of a new state-of-the-art educational building of MGIMO, the creation of new faculties and departments, modernization of the Alumni Association and the MGIMO Development Foundation. "Today MGIMO has a university status and its graduates succeed not only in diplomacy but also in such areas as humanitarian sciences, business, journalism, and even intelligence."

"Some 54 languages are being taught in MGIMO - more than in any other institution of the world," said the rector.

The official part of the event was followed by a gala concert with participation of Russian and foreign music stars. The participants also watched a documentary about the history and development of MGIMO.