Russia, Moscow, 15 May / corr. Trend R. Agayev/ "Today we are marking 85th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, the renowned public figure and wise politician of Azerbaijan and we honor his memory in Russia, Azerbaijan and other countries. Aliyev had held a number of higher posts during several decades. Both Russia and Azerbaijan are very grateful to Heydar Aliyev for their achievements", Sergey Narishkin, the head of the Presidential Administration of Russia said in the solemn event in Moscow dedicated to 85th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, the national leader of Azerbaijani people.
The solemn event and concert in memory of Heydar Aliyev was held in the Tower Hall of the House Unions with the support of the Russian government, Moscow City Administration, Heyday Aliyev Foundation, ITAR-TASS new agency of Russia and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia.
Sergey Narishkin stated that the achievements of present-day Azerbaijan, strengthening of the statehood, conduct of substantial economic and social reforms are all the services rendered by Heydar Alyev. According to Narishkin, Heydar Aliyev laid the foundation of development and rise in the international authority of Azerbaijan.
The Head of the Presidential Administration of Russia especially emphasized Heydar Aliyev's contribution to the strengthening of friendship and good-neighborly relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. "Only firm and principal policy of the Azerbaijani leader opened new opportunities for the cooperation between our countries and people. Naturally, Heydar Aliyev was awarded the highest government reward of Russia- the Order of St. Apostol Andrew," said Narishkin.
Narishkin stated that now the President Ilham Aliyev continues Heydar Aliyev's affairs with dignity. Ilham Aliyev supports partnership and friendship between the nations of both countries. "In the mid 1990s Heydar Aliyev said that both Russia and Azerbaijan need to develop friendship relations with each other, and it is pleasant that today the relations between both countries are being developed with common efforts. The relations between the countries have become stronger and closer day by day. The heads of both countries hold permanent, intensive and constructive political dialogues. The expansion of relations is being observed in the sphere of trade turnover, culture and humanitarian issues. The most important is that we value the traditions of our friendship," Narishkin said.
The partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia, further strengthening of cooperation, as well as constructive inter action in regional and international affairs meet the national interests of both countries completely. "We thank Heydar Aliyev for his kind attitude towards Russia and our population. We will always remember the memory of Heydar Aliyev and his complicated political life," Narishkin stated.
Narishkin said that the President of Russian Federation Dmitri Medvedev has signed a decree on rewarding Ramiz Mehtiyev, chief of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, with the Friendship Order for his contribution towards the strengthening and development of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.
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