Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Leyla Aliyeva, the vice-president of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as the head of the Russian Representative Office of the Foundation, was honored with the Order of the Holy Equal to the Apostles Duchess Olga of the third degree on December 20.

The order was presented to Leyla Aliyeva in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast Governor Administration by Astrakhan and Kamyziak Metropolitan Iona in a solemn ceremony attended by members of Azerbaijani delegation and Astrakhan people.

Aliyeva was awarded with a high order of the Russian Orthodox Church by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia for her contribution to the construction of a monument for Saint Prince Vladimir in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan, and her role in strengthening the friendship between Russia and Azerbaijan in October.

Azerbaijan's delegation led by the Vice-President of the Foundation participated in a number of the events in the region.

Aliyeva met with Governor of the Astrakhan Oblast Alexander Zhilkin.

Zhilkin thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his great attention to the Astrakhan oblast, noting that big projects had been implemented thanks to the support of the Azerbaijani government and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Aliyeva praised Zhilkin`s contribution to the development of Azerbaijan-Russia relations.

Aliyeva attended a ceremony to unveil a monument for Prince Vladimir afterwards. The monument was erected at the initiative of President Aliyev, with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Leyla Aliyeva addressed the event and thanked the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill for awarding her the third class Order of Princess Olga.

"It is a source of great honor and pleasure to me. Today, the inauguration of the monument for Prince Vladimir has a special meaning for us. The representatives of different people and religions have always lived in peace, friendship, and harmony in Azerbaijan for many years. Tolerance in Azerbaijan is not an aim, but a lifestyle. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation pays special attention to this issue in its activities," she said.

Aliyeva also spoke about Azerbaijan and Astrakhan's close relations, saying, "A number of joint projects were implemented in Astrakhan. A regional department of the Azerbaijani Youth Association in Russia operates in Astrakhan. The Astrakhan branch of the association is one of the most active bodies of the AMOR."

The groundbreaking ceremony for unveiling the monument was held on September 12, 2012 with the participation of an Azerbaijani delegation led by Leyla Aliyeva. The monument was dedicated to the 1025th anniversary of the adoption Christianity in Russia and the 455th anniversary of Astrakhan.

The author of the monument is People's Artist of Azerbaijan and honorary member of the Russian Academy of Fine Arts Natig Aliyev. The creators of the 4-meter high bronze monument on a granite pedestal are Astrakhan Architect Alexander Fedorchenko and People's Artist of Russia Andrei Kovalchuk.

Aliyeva also attended the opening of the "Mechta" Children's Cafe in Astrakhan and presented New Year gifts to children.

The cafe is located near the children's campus, built with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and opened on September 12, 2012.

About seven attractions have been installed in the campus, which occupies a total area of 1,200 square meters, and all the necessary conditions have been created to ensure children's safety.

Following, Aliyeva attended a ceremony for laying the foundation of a new kindergarten located in front of the school named after Heydar Aliyev, which will be built with the financial help of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Aliyeva met the representatives of the Astrakhan branch of the AMOR afterwards.

Chairman of the Astrakhan branch of the association Elvin Huseynov provided an insight into the activities of youth organizations in Astrakhan, noting that the branch was named the best youth organization in the oblast by the Administration of the Governor.

Aliyeva also met with the teachers and pupils of the school named after Heydar Aliyev. Addressing the event, Aliyeva noted that the Foundation attaches great importance to developing education with a number of education projects delivered by the Foundation in many countries, including Russia.

She also highlighted the key role of young people in strengthening bilateral bonds between Azerbaijan and Russia.

Gifts were presented to the school on behalf of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Volgograd visit

Leyla Aliyeva was awarded with a Medal of Merit to the Volgograd Oblast at the meeting with Governor of the Volgograd Oblast Sergey Bozhenov on December 20.

Bozhenov said Aliyeva is the first foreigner to receive the medal for her social activities, and Aliyeva said Azerbaijan cherishes Russia's great culture.

Russia and Azerbaijan have a shared history; the reconstruction of the Volgograd-Baku friendship park funded by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is just the first step, and many other interesting things can be found down the road.

AMOR is going to open a regional branch in Volgograd.

Bozhenov pointed out that there are 80,000 Azerbaijanis living in the Volgograd Oblast, underlining the importance of sharing experience between public and youth organizations.

Bozhenov announced his intention to pay a business visit to Baku next year, saying Azerbaijan may become an important transportation hub for transit flights to other countries, stressing the need to open the Volgograd-Baku flight.

A protocol of intent was also signed by the Garadagh district of Baku and Volgograd oblast at the meeting. Head of the Garadagh District Authority Suleyman Mikayilov said the parties are set to cooperate closely in many fields, including economic, cultural, sport, and others.

A new park which is the symbol of Azerbaijani-Russian friendship was opened in Volgograd city with the participation of Leyla Aliyeva, Bozhenov, Head of the socio-political department at the Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov, mayor of Volgograd city Irina Guseva, and other officials.

Speaking at the ceremony, Aliyeva thanked those present at the event for their warm welcome in Volgograd.

She noted that it was her first visit to Volgograd and it was very pleasant for her to feel the city`s strong aura and energy.

Leyla Aliyeva said the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has done a great job in Russia since its establishment.

Projects such as the construction of a school in the city of Ulyanovsk and the creation of Azerbaijan Cultural Center at the All-Russia State Library of the Foreign Literature named after M.I.Rudomino have been implemented by the Foundation.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has also had a memorial stele erected at the International Alley of Glory and Soldier`s Memorial "Nevsky pyatachok" in Leningrad oblast. The stele is dedicated to Azerbaijani soldiers who died defending Leningrad in 1941-1944.

"Our countries have lived through a lot of hard, tragic moments, but at the same time there were a lot of good and pleasant moments," she said.

Leyla Aliyeva added that Russian literature, culture, and history are loved in Azerbaijan.

"Teaching Russian at Azerbaijani schools has been fully preserved and the Russian Drama Theater, Russian Cultural Center, Baku Slavic University, and the Baku branch of the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov are operating in the country," Aliyeva said.

She noted that it is always possible to hear Russian on the streets of Baku, expressing confidence that Azerbaijani-Russian relations, which is based on friendship, trust, and understanding, will develop.

Aliyeva also invited the event participants to visit Baku.

First Deputy Head of the Volgograd government Roland Kherianov said Azerbaijani builders created a beautiful park in Volgograd in a short time in June 2013, adding that the city of Volgograd expresses its deep gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

"This park will be a symbol of strengthening friendship between Russia and Azerbaijan," Kherianov said.

He noted that a street called Baku Street exists in Volgograd, adding that during the Great Patriotic War Azerbaijanis fought heroically for Stalingrad, the present-day Volgograd.

Valery Maksimov, Head of Planning Department of the Presidential Directorate for Interregional and Cultural Relations with Foreign States, said the park's reconstruction positively affect citizens.

"Opening of the park shows the aspiration of the two countries' leaders to develop friendly and strategic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia," he said.

Mayor of Volgograd city Irina Guseva said the leadership of the Volgograd region intends to erect a monument to the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad in Baku.