Azernews.Az

The people of Russia and Azerbaijan have been bound with the closest friendship and trust for centuries, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in his welcome address to the participants of an Azerbaijani diaspora group’s event held in Moscow on Friday.

"Working together, our ancestors created our common history, which we are really proud of today, promoted mutual penetration and enrichment of our national cultures, and in the years of the Great Patriotic War fought a common enemy for independence," says Medvedev’s message for the All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress attendees, read out by Sergei Vinokurov, the Russian President’s head of interregional and cultural relations with other countries.

Medvedev praised the fact that invaluable traditions of good neighborliness and partnership are developing and passed on from one generation to another, adding that Russia is "the second homeland for hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis".

"Today, the Azerbaijani diaspora contributes substantially to the modernization of the domestic economy, takes an active part in scientific, sports and cultural life, and does much to strengthen international and inter-confessional peace and consent in society, and development of partnership and cooperation with sovereign Azerbaijan," the message said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also sent a message to the participants of the Moscow congress, which said Azerbaijanis living in Russia play a significant role in the development of bilateral relations. "It is pleasant that they are an integral part of the multinational Russian society. They greatly contribute to the development and prosperity of the Russian Federation," Aliyev wrote.

The president praised the current level of strategic partnership with Russia in political, economic, cultural and other areas.

"There is a lot of proof of our successful cooperation within international organizations," the message said, adding that Azerbaijan’s candidacy was supported by Russia when the country was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council this year.

The president said Azerbaijani diaspora organizations, in particular, the All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress, are an integral part of Russian civil society.

"The Congress managed to become one of the most influential associations in a short period of time by forming its own organizations in almost all regions of the country," the letter said. "However, the congress of Azerbaijanis of the world showed that promoting the history and culture of our people and informing the Russian public about Azerbaijan's true facts are also one of the priorities of its activities."

President Aliyev expressed confidence that the third congress will be a significant event in the activity of the All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress, as well as the entire Azerbaijani diaspora, by contributing to the strengthening and development of comprehensive Russian-Azerbaijani relations.