'Astrakhan has close economic ties with Azerbaijan' - PHOTOS

A ceremony of laying foundation for the Friendship of Baku and Astrakhan monument was held here in a new park with participation of a Russian delegation led by governor of Astrakhan region Alexander Zhilkin.

Speaking at the ceremony, Baku mayor Hajibala Abutalybov said Azerbaijan and Russia have been neighbors for centuries. “Relationships between the two nations have become even closer in recent years. The foundation for development of future cooperation between the two countries was laid as a result of talks between national leader Heydar Aliyev and Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the latter`s visit to Azerbaijan in 2001.”

“Astrakhan, one of the Russia`s leading regions, has close economic ties with Azerbaijan. A monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev was laid in Astrakhan in 2010, the secondary school No11 and a pedestrian overpass were constructed on the Bakinskaya street. President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO goodwill ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva played a great role in implementing these projects. Mehriban Aliyeva attended opening of the park. It was her initiative to name the park as the Park of Friendship between Baku and Astrakhan.”
Speaking to the ceremony, Astrakhan governor Zhilkin said Baku has become even more beautiful since his last visit to Baku during the Soviet era.

Governor pointed out the foundation for economic cooperation was laid between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan oblast in early 19th century. He underlined trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan increased by 35 percent in comparison with figures of the last year.
“There is the sizable Azerbaijani Diaspora in Astrakhan. Exemplary contacts between Azerbaijani community and officials have been established. These ties would promote development of not only economic but also humanitarian ties between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan oblast.”

Baku mayor Abutalybov and Governor Zhilkin signed a memorable appeal, which was put into the capsule and placed into the foundation of the monument.

The ceremony was attended by chief of the Presidential Administration`s department for socio-political affairs Ali Hasanov, Russian ambassador Vladimir Dorokhin, MPs and others.

/AzerTAc/