Botanists from the Hortus Botanicus Leiden University in the Netherlands, Rogian van Vugt and Petra Sonius, as well as botanist Marc Verbeeck from Belgium, visited the Institute of Botany, MSERA to discuss orchid species they collected from Ismayilli, Shaki, Gakh, etc. regions of Azerbaijan. During the meeting with the participation of scientists from the Institute of Botany, Director General, Professor Sayyara Ibadullayeva provided the guests with detailed information on determining the status of endemic species within the framework of the Institute's scientific research activities. There was a wide discussion about the “Kharibulbul” plant, which belongs to the Orchidaceae Juss. family.

The guests visited the Institute’s laboratories, the Museum of Botany, and the Herbarium Foundation. They highly appreciated the work done to scientifically document and protect the flora diversity of Azerbaijan and appealed for the establishment of cooperative relations between Hortus Botanicus Leiden University and the Institute of Botany.

Finally, Marc Verbeeck thanked the management and staff of the Institute of Botany on his social media account, sharing the thought, “There is no other country in Greater Europe that respects our precious orchids as much as Azerbaijan”.