Azernews.Az

The Azerbaijan-Russia Bridge of Friendship was inaugurated in Astrakhan, Russia, on Wednesday, a Trend news agency special correspondent reports.

Prior to the opening ceremony, participants laid flowers at the monument to Azerbaijan's late national leader, former President Heydar Aliyev in the center of Astrakhan.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation Vice-President, head of the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AYOR), Leyla Aliyeva, attended the ceremony.

Aliyeva delivered a speech at the bridge's inauguration.

Attending the ceremony were officials of Azerbaijan and the administration of Astrakhan region, Azerbaijani MPs, representatives of the Azerbaijani community of Astrakhan and the city's residents.

The decision to build the bridge was made in 2010, during Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Astrakhan. Then, a monument to Heydar Aliyev was inaugurated with the participation of the Azerbaijani President.

In May 2011, as part of the first Russian-Azerbaijani inter-regional forum "Russia-Azerbaijan: towards new horizons of inter-regional cooperation", the groundbreaking of the Friendship Bridge took place.

The bridge, which embodies good-neighborly relations between the two countries, was constructed with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The pedestrian Bridge of Friendship connects the Heydar Aliyev Park with the boulevard, where a monument to Peter the Great stands. Symbols of Baku and Astrakhan, the Maiden Tower and the Astrakhan Kremlin are in ornaments of railing.

The bridge is 50 meters long and 6 meters wide. The bridge will considerably facilitate the passage of residents from one Volga river coast to the other. The bridge has become a real gift to the residents of Astrakhan.

Then the opening ceremony participants attended the opening of the "Dream" children's entertainment playground, which was built in the Heydar Aliyev Park.

The total area of the playground, which was also built with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, is about 1,200 square meters. The playground has seven large and several small amusement rides and fully ensures children's safety. A children's cafe is under construction there as well.