Conference in St Petersburg on the birthday of great leader Heydar Aliyev and the 85th anniversary of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan
Conference ‘Russia-Azerbaijan Relationship: Past, Present, Future’ dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan was held at the Mariinsk Palace, where the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg is located. Coinciding with birthday of great leader Heydar Aliyev, the event was organized by the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg, Russia Office of Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Consulate General of Azerbaijan in St Petersburg.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu, Head of Apparatus of Supreme Assembly of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan Ali Hasanov, Deputy Head of Permanent Representation of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan in Baku Hasan Hajiyev, MPs Elmira Akhundova, Fazail Agamaly, delegates of the city government, MPs, directors of museums, rectors of leading higher schools, foreign diplomat accredited to the city, employees of law enforcement bodies, figures of science, businessmen, representatives of Azeri diaspora and youth were present in the Conference.
Participants laid flowers at the memorial plaque of Heydar Aliyev, the world-known politician, national leader of Azerbaijani people, at the building of former High KGB School in Gorokhovaya Street.
Photo exhibition ‘Heydar Aliyev is the symbol of the unity and state independence of Azerbaijani people’, stands ‘Historical monuments and present life in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan’ dedicated to great son of Azerbaijani nation Heydar Aliyev were organized at the St Petersburg parliament.
4-volume ‘Heydar Aliyev. Personality and Time’ by famous writer-publicist of Azerbaijan, MP Elmira Akhundova, book ‘The Reformist President’ MP Fazail Agamaly dedicated to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, books and collections on Heydar Aliyev’s life and actions, magazines ‘Baku’ and ‘Irs’ were presented here. Dean of Oriental Studies Department at St Petersburg State University, Doctor of History, professor Eugenie Zelenov valued the 4-volume by E.Akhundova as the largest and most interesting work on great statesman Heydar Aliyev. Relating to the book by F.Agamaly Candidate of History Vadim Mikhaylov said the new research helps conduct a foreign policy serving sustainable and dynamic development of Azerbaijan, formation of democratic, legal society in the country, the national interests of Azerbaijan.
The Conference was opened by national anthems of Azerbaijan and Russia.
Talking of the objective of the Conference, Consul General of Azerbaijan in St Petersburg Gudsi Osmanov informed of the past and present of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan. He emphasized national leader Heydar Aliyev has a huge role in defence of Nakhchyvan and Azerbaijan will never forget this role. According to him, realization of the conference dedicated to Nakhchyvan, the ancient land of Azerbaijan, in the building of the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg indicates the high level of friendly and partnership ties between Russia and Azerbaijan.
Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg Gennady Ozerov read the letter of congratulation by Speaker Vadim Tulpanov, member of the city government Mikhail Brodski gave greetings from Governor Valentina Matviyenko. Federal inspector for St Petersburg Aleksandr Volokh, Chairman of Committee for Youth Policy and Relations with Public Organizations Sergey Grishin, Chief of Department at Federal Migration Service Yelena Dunayeva, Doctor of History Eugenie Zelenov and others stressed the high level of the bilateral cooperation, noting thanks to Heydar Aliyev, the prominent political figure who for long years was linked to Russia where he studied and worked, the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan is well known in Russia. They underlined great merits of Heydar Aliyev before Russian and Azeri nations, the political line of President Ilham Aliyev towards the friendship with Russia.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu expressed gratitude to the organizers of the Conference and presentation of Nakhchyvan, providing detailed information on the present state of Russia-Azerbaijan relations in political, socioeconomic and cultural spheres, current development of Nakhchyvan. Stressing the role of Heydar Aliyev in field of strengthening and deepening of relations between the two nations, the Ambassador said: ‘The Conference underway today in St Petersburg and presentation of the books on Heydar Aliyev is the sign of developing relations between Azerbaijan and Russia’.
Head of Apparatus of Supreme Assembly of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan Ali Hasanov talked of history and present day of the Autonomous Republic, saying: ‘After Heydar Aliyev returned to the homeland, not Nakhchyvan only but whole Azerbaijan was saved. The present independent state of Azerbaijan is the fruit of the Heydar Aliyev genius’.
He mentioned the purposeful policy of President Ilham Aliyev assured the unprecedented progress in Azerbaijan. As result of the firm socioeconomic development, the global financial crisis could not divert the country from the path of development. ‘We are sure this conference will contribute to the further development of Russia-Azerbaijan relationship’, Mr Hasanov stated.
MP Elmira Akhundova talked about the main phases of Heydar Aliyev’s political action, his return to Nakhchyvan and then upon the nation’s request to the leadership of Azerbaijan. She noted for less than 2 years of his ruling in Nakhchyvan, Heydar Aliyev managed to save the Autonomous Republic of occupation, break the severe blockade, save the people from hunger and cold. The MP completed her speech saying ‘Then he saved the whole country of disaster. This is why today we often repeat a sentence in the republic: ‘Nakhchyvan saved Aliyev, and Aliyev saved Azerbaijan’.
Documentary ‘Rising Sun in the East’ was shown then. Concert of national Azeri music dedicated to the birthday of national leader of Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev was organized due to support of the Consulate General of Azerbaijan at the N.A.Rimski-Korsakov St Petersburg Conservatory.