To recognize the more than 335 locally employed (LE) staff at Embassy Baku, the post’s American staff donated money to purchase olive trees for each Azerbaijani staff member. Ambassador Lee Litzenberger, along with American and local staff, helped to plant them, Nov. 26. The trees were planted in the Pirallahi District of Baku, not far from the shore of the Caspian Sea. Representatives from the Baku City Executive Office and from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources also attended the event. All six of Azerbaijan’s national TV outlets, as well as several internet news portals, covered the event. News coverage noted that olive trees are native to Azerbaijan and are symbols of peace. The trees served as a thank you to Baku’s LE staff for their essential work and diverse contributions to the success of the mission. The event also furthered key mission goals of fighting climate change, encouraging peace, and promoting U.S. values and culture.
Photo by Samir Hajiyev
