Astrakhan, September 29 (AZERTAC). President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is on a working visit in Astrakhan, the Russian Federation, has attended the opening of the “Friendship” kindergarten under secondary school No. 11 after Heydar Aliyev. The construction of the kindergarten was initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Governor of Astrakhan province Alexander Jilkin made a speech at the event.

Addressing the ceremony, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said:

- Dear Aleksandr Aleksandrovich,

Dear Mayor.

Dear friends and the people of Astrakhan!

Let me say that I am very pleased to visit the friendly land of Astrakhan again. This is not my first visit to Astrakhan Region, and I have to say that while coming here in the car today, I congratulated Aleksandr Aleksandrovich on the great successes Astrakhan Region has achieved in recent years. The city is changing, becoming more beautiful and comfortable. There is extensive housing construction. Shopping centers, public places and parks are built. All this is an indicator of the rapid development of Astrakhan Region. Of course, under the leadership of such a governor it would probably be difficult to expect anything else. But as friends and neighbors, we always rejoice at each other’s successes. So I am sure that when the plans Aleksandr Aleksandrovich has shared with me are implemented, Astrakhan will become even more beautiful.

Of course, the fact that the summit of Caspian littoral states will now be held in Astrakhan is also an indicator of the development of the city. We conducted it in Baku four years ago. It could be held in any other city of the Russian Federation, but Astrakhan was chosen, and we are very happy about that. I am confident that the decisions the Caspian littoral countries will adopt today will bring our countries and peoples even closer together. This is what we want and, of course, we are delighted that such long-standing ties between Baku and Astrakhan continue to develop today.

We are also glad that there are places in Astrakhan that are associated with our country and people. We are glad that there is a Friendship Park "Astrakhan-Baku" in Baku. Aleksandr Aleksandrovich inaugurated it last time. Today, we are gathered for the opening of a kindergarten which will also symbolize our friendship. It is no coincidence that it is called "Friendship". I think that the symbolism of this lies in the fact that it is a kindergarten. People of our generation are friends. We lived in the same country. We know and respect each other. It is necessary for young people to also communicate with each other, to make friends from an early age in the kindergarten and then at the school named after Heydar Aliyev. Thus we will provide for a continuity of the friendly relations between our peoples and between our countries.

We have very much in common. Both history and the current political developments, of course, necessitate even closer relations between Russia and Azerbaijan. We are pleased with the level of bilateral relations between our countries, with the relations between regions, and today's ceremony is further evidence of the sincerity and depth of the relationships that bind us together.

I congratulate the people of Astrakhan, all of us and the friends of Astrakhan on this momentous occasion. I hope children feel comfortable here and grow up to become worthy citizens of the country. Thank you.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Governor of Astrakhan province Alexander Jilkin cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the kindergarten.

A photo stand reflecting the life and political activities of national leader Heydar Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev's visits to Astrakhan and the work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the city was installed in the lobby of the kindergarten.

The foundation stone for the facility was laid in 2013 with the participation of Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.

President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the 140-seat kindergarten is designed to serve both Azerbaijani children and kids from local families. In general, the facility will have six groups for children from 2 to 6 years of age. The kindergarten is fitted with all the necessary equipment and teaching aids. Sports and music halls as well as other rooms here meet modern standards.

After reviewing the kindergarten, President Ilham Aliyev posed for photographs with Azerbaijanis living in Astrakhan.