Heydar Aliyev Memorial Day held in St. Petersburg

An event dedicated to the Memory Day of the National Leader of the Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev was held in St. Petersburg.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – Plenipotentiary Representative of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Aydin Jafarov noted that Heydar Aliyev had been optimistic about the future of relations between the former Soviet republics and Azerbaijan, their further development, which would meet the fundamental interests of the peoples of the countries, consolidation of peace and stability in the region. Azerbaijan’s successful representation in the Commonwealth of Independent States had been achieved thanks to the political will of the national leader. After returning to power one of Heydar Aliyev’s first decisions was Azerbaijan’s accession to the CIS.

The event was also attended by acting head of the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in St. Petersburg Anar Yusifzade, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in St. Petersburg Özgün Talu, Ambassador-at-Large, Head of the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in St. Petersburg Vladimir Zapevalov, Deputy Chair of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg Evgeny Kassyura, Chair of the National-Cultural Autonomy of Azerbaijanis of St. Petersburg Vagif M. Mukhtarov.

In their speeches, they noted merits of the National Leader, his diplomatic qualities. The speakers emphasized that high relations between Heydar Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin had contributed to strengthening of friendly relations between the two states.

The event was attended by Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – Plenipotentiary Representative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Viktor Kogut, Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – Plenipotentiary Representative of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askhat Mukashev, Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – Plenipotentiary Representative of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Irina Sokolova, Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – Plenipotentiary Representative of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan Abdukhalil Gafurzoda, as well as Deputy Head of the IPA CIS Council Secretariat – Director of the International Institute for Monitoring the Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member Nations (IPA CIS IIMDD), Doctor of Law, Professor Ivan Mushket.

The year 2023 marks the 100^th anniversary of the birth of the National Leader of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 1993, Heydar Aliyev spoke in favor of the republic's joining the Commonwealth of Independent States. His signature is under the text of the Convention on the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.