Astana, April 10, AZERTAC

A solemn ceremony to inaugurate the Heydar Aliyev Street has been held in Astana.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the ceremony.

Host of the ceremony said:

- Diplomatic, cultural, social, political and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are strengthening by the year. On the instruction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, one of the biggest streets of the capital has been named after the great leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, the man who led progress and extensive creative work in the neighboring country. We are confident that the new location with architectural features located on it will become a symbol of strong and mutually enriching cooperation between our fraternal states.

The Heydar Aliyev Street is located in a thriving Yesil district. It is a four-lane street which crosses Uly Dala Avenue. Its length is 1,400 meters. A monument with a deep meaning has been erected on the Heydar Aliyev Street. The architectural composition includes elements that emphasize the commonality of Turkic roots, the proximity of cultural values and respect for the Azerbaijani people. A QR code has been installed on the monument, and by scanning which you can learn more about the life of Heydar Aliyev.

Congratulating each other on this remarkable event in the life of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, we are welcoming everyone to this ceremony, ladies and gentlemen.

x x x

The heads of state unveiled the board with the “Heydar Aliyev Street” sign.

x x x

Addressing the ceremony, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said:

This event has a special symbolism. Our duty is to perpetuate and preserve the memory of such eminent personalities as Heydar Aliyev. By opening a street named after him in Astana, we are making an important contribution to this noble cause. This is a sign of our warm attitude and sincere respect for the great son of the Azerbaijani people.

The street will attract young people and visitors to Astana. Located along it are such iconic sites as the world's largest spherical building “Nur Alem”, the “Astana Ballet” theater, the central botanical garden, as well as the largest shopping and entertainment mall of the city.

I would like to note that the opening of the street signals the start of a number of important events in Kazakhstan, which are timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, including the premiere of the documentary film “Outstanding Life” about the life of Heydar Aliyev. It will be televized on “Kazakhstan” TV channel today. It is quite indicative that the name Heydar means “going in front” in translation. Without any exaggeration, he is considered the architect of the modern and dynamically developing Azerbaijan. Leading the country in an extremely difficult period, Heydar Aliyev played an exceptional role in strengthening the centuries-old Azerbaijani statehood. Under his wise leadership, deep political and socioeconomic transformations were carried out in Azerbaijan. Having gone through this difficult, this thorny path, the country made a colossal leap forward to become an authoritative member of the world community. In essence, the name of Heydar Aliyev has become a real brand of Azerbaijan. The life path of Heydar Aliyev is a vivid example of selfless service to the nation. Contemporaries valued Heydar Aliyevich for his high human qualities, adherence to principles, honesty and justice.

Heydar Aliyev’s contribution to the establishment and strengthening of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is invaluable. We remember with what warmth he always spoke about the Kazakhs and emphasized our common origins and heritage. Heydar Alievich said, “The roots of our peoples, which go back into the depths of history, form the basis of relations between the people of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. History was difficult for both Kazakhs and Azerbaijanis. But whatever the difficulties, our peoples have always supported each other, always felt and understood that they belong to the same roots.” This was said on June 10, 1997. These words are confirmed by the strong and harmonious relations between our countries today. They are developing in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance.

And you, dear Ilham Heydar oglu, continue the creative work of your great father with dignity. Under your authoritative and strong leadership, Azerbaijan is moving confidently along the path of progress and development. We highly appreciate your personal contribution to the strengthening of all-round cooperation between our states. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you again for this visit, which has become an important milestone in the development of our cooperation.

Some exceptionally important documents were signed today, giving an impetus to the further development of our multifaceted cooperation. The future of allied and partnership relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is bright and promising. Therefore, there is no doubt that we will continue to adhere to common positions in terms of serving the peoples of our states. Thank you for your attention.

x x x

Addressing the event, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said:

- Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, dear friends.

My visit to Kazakhstan is coming to an end. I want to once again express my gratitude to President Tokayev for the hospitality, for the warm welcome, for the kind attitude towards me and to members of our delegation, and for the fact that today, during the visit, we are participating in this wonderful, I would say, historic ceremony.

For me, as for every Azerbaijani, the name of Heydar Aliyev is very dear. Not only because he is my father, but also because he is the person who, in the most difficult time in the modern development of independent Azerbaijan, was invited by the people to lead the country. Speaking of Heydar Aliyev, one cannot but recall the period when he headed Soviet Azerbaijan, and this was also a period of creation and development. Under his leadership from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, Azerbaijan became one of the USSR leaders in terms of the socioeconomic development. Then there was a period of his work as a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU in Moscow – the highest deliberative body of the Soviet state – and as first deputy chairman of the government, when he essentially led many of the most important sectors of the national economy of the former USSR.

There was a period when he was subjected to undeserved obstruction, there was a period of defamation and slander, but the Azerbaijani people always believed in him and in the most difficult period when the future of the Azerbaijani people depended on people like him, he led the country and saved Azerbaijan from virtually disappearing from the political map of the world. Unfortunately, this was exactly what was being discussed at the time because the country was torn apart by internal strife, civil war was in full swing. At the same time, the creeping occupation of Azerbaijani lands was going on, and during this difficult period, he led Azerbaijan and, in essence, prevented further troubles and tragedies our people. The 10 years of his tenure as President – from 1993 to 2003 – were years of stability and development, which laid the foundations for a future leap.

Heydar Aliyev bequeathed us to continue his work. His main testament was that we must liberate our lands from occupation, return our territories, restore the dignity of the Azerbaijani people. We are faithful to his memory and his testaments. We have fulfilled all his instructions with honor. And today, on the eve of his 100th birthday anniversary, we can confidently say that everything that he conceived has been realized.

Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich said that Heydar Aliyevich had a special relationship and love for the fraternal Kazakh people. This is true, and I am a witness to that. He knew the traditions and customs of the Kazakhs very well. He respected the culture of the Kazakh people, its centuries-old history, and greatly appreciated the brotherhood of Kazakhs and Azerbaijanis. He also did everything to bring the Turkic world even closer together. And today, among other things, we are seeing the fruition of his work and his activities in the fact that the Turkic world is uniting. You have created a powerful organization that has great authority in the international arena today.

Today, concluding my visit, I would like to once again express my gratitude to the President and the people of Kazakhstan, congratulate the people of Kazakhstan and President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich on the great achievements made along the path of socioeconomic development, along the path of strengthening the international authority of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan today – I spoke about this today during the press conference – enjoys great authority in the world community, plays an important part in international affairs. The initiatives Kazakhstan puts forward and implements are aimed at strengthening confidence-building measures, peace in the broadest sense of the word, in Eurasia. And we, as friends and brothers, sincerely rejoice at your success.

Today we have identified further steps to strengthen our cooperation, which has already reached the level of an alliance. We are allies, we are brothers, we are friends. Today's ceremony is further evidence of the unshakable nature of our relations, further evidence of brotherhood and mutual respect. Once again, I want to express my gratitude to the President and all our Kazakh brothers for such an attitude towards the memory of Heydar Aliyev, for your friendship and brotherhood. Thank you.

x x x

Then, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev planted a tree in the Botanical Garden located on the Heydar Aliyev Street.

The heads of state also talked to representatives of the general public of the city.