Addressing the ceremony participants, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said:

-Dear Alexander Alexandrovich:

-Dear friends:

Today is a truly remarkable and historic day in the history of relations between our countries. Today, the monument of genius son of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev is being inaugurated in Astrakhan, the beautiful ever changing and modernizing city. Throughout his lifetime, Heydar Aliyev worked for the welfare of his people, and at the same time, he had feelings of deepest respect to Russia and Russian people. A part of his life was linked to Russia. In his young ages, he got education in then Leningrad and current Petersburg city. Later in 80-ies, he worked as the first deputy chairman of the Soviet government and did many thinks for successful development of historic relations of friendship and brotherhood between Azerbaijani and Russian peoples.

Today, I would like to stress my sincerest thanks to the esteemed residents of Astrakhan and first of all, the Governor Alexander Alexandrovich Jilkin for such a generous attitude to the memory of Heydar Aliyev. This is very valuable for us. We value it very highly in Azerbaijan. I would like to express deep gratitude on behalf of the entire Azerbaijani people for such an attitude and allocation of a nice site in the center of city. This park will be a symbol of friendship between all peoples living in multiethnic Russia and Azerbaijan. Today, I was very pleased to hear good words said by the Governor about Azerbaijanis living in Astrakhan. They are deserved citizens of Russia and Astrakhan and considered as an important factor in the development of our bilateral relations.

Throughout his lifetime, Heydar Aliyev strived to improve the lifestyle of Azerbaijani people, develop positive processes in Azerbaijan and implement reforms. I have spoken already about the period lasted till the breakdown of USSR. The most important thing is explained by the fact that when we have been living already in a separate state, the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia started to develop swiftly as Heydar Aliyev came to power in 1993. During all those years, we witness a very positive development in our relations and today, it allows both leaderships of Russia and Azerbaijan to qualify our relations as the relations of strategic partnership.

We are neighbors. Furthermore, we are neighbors on the shores of Caspian. We are striving jointly to ensure multilateral active co-operation in the Caspian region in order to maintain the Caspian as a sea of peace, friendship, co-operation and mutual understanding. We have defined our territorial water frontiers with the Russian Federation in the Caspian long ago. During the visit of Russian President Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev to Azerbaijan this year, we have agreed issues related to the inland state borders. All these factors impact very positively on the common atmosphere in our region. Today, as two Caspian and Caucasian countries, Russia and Azerbaijan play a very crucial role in fostering regional co-operation, security measures of the region and its development.

I am confident that the stabilizing role played by Russia and Azerbaijan will continue to facilitate broader understanding between all countries of the region.

We are linked to Russia by centuries’ long relations of friendship and co-operation. Today, when our political relationship is at the highest level, we develop actively our economic ties. Energy issues are being solved actively. There is the strongest motivation to establish more communications between representatives of our peoples. Russian culture and language are in the focus of attention inside Azerbaijan. As the Azerbaijani community of Astrakhan, the Russian community of Azerbaijan is consisted of deserved citizens of their respective countries, and both of them bring important contribution to the development of our state. There are the factors that bring our countries and peoples closer.

On this remarkable day, I would like to note in particular that how I am delighted to see the development of Astrakhan and speedy development here. Today, I am thankful to Alexander Alexandrovich for demonstrating me everything that is the source of inspiration: seaside area, renovation of living mansions, refurbishment work and your attitude to the historic heritage. Today, I have visited an historic site - the Kremlin. Renovation work is under way. City becomes even brighter. All these constitute the source of affection towards to the development of Russia, including the province authorities’ commitment to the city, its residents, further improvement of life and making the city ever more attractive.

Baku and Astrakhan are neighbors and sister cities. Today, I arrived here by plane for only one hour. I did not even feel how this hour passed by. Ties existing between our cities have the ancient history. Today, these ties are fostered and developed further. I am confident that this day will remain forever in the history of our cities and countries. I am sure that the image of Heydar Aliyev who made all his possible to bring Russia and Azerbaijan closer to each other will play a very important role in ensuring active co-operation between our countries and peoples.

First of all, I would like to express once again my gratitude to the city residents, leadership, the Governor, City Council and all those who contributed to this beautiful monument and the creation of this park. I wish you all happiness and prosperity. Thank you very much.

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