Dear conference participants!
I heartily salute you on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian community of Azerbaijan and convey my most sincere wishes to all of you.
In the years of its existence, the public association of the Russian community has made an important contribution to the development of international relations and building of civil society in Azerbaijan and become one of the most influential organizations in the country. Your organization unites patriotic and creative people and is engaged in useful activities for the preservation and development of the Russian language and culture, national customs and traditions.
Azerbaijan has historically been a unique place where civilizations and cultures form a unity. The humanity and tolerance inherent in the mentality of our people have facilitated the lives of various ethnic groups living here in tranquility, friendship and brotherhood and in an atmosphere of ethnic and religious tolerance for centuries. We consider the ethnic and cultural diversity existing in our society and the tradition of multiculturalism as a historic achievement of our people, and we consider it one of the priorities of our ethnic policy.
Today, the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional Azerbaijani society is impossible to imagine without the Russian community. I am pleased to note that of all the South Caucasus republics the biggest number of Russians lives in our country. They consider Azerbaijan their homeland, are directly involved in all aspects of our social, political, economic, cultural and spiritual life. Many of our Russian citizens have showed examples of true patriotism and heroism in the fight for the territorial integrity of our country against Armenian aggressors.
The friendly and good-neighborly relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have a rich history. At this stage, an important role in the development of our multilateral cooperation based on these traditions and covering all areas is played by Diaspora organizations and communities in both countries.
Dear friends !
The public association of the Russian community has effectively represented the Russians living in Azerbaijan and covered a long road over the past 20 years. I am sure that your organization will continue its activities to further strengthen the civil solidarity in our country, the rapprochement and mutual enrichment of our peoples and cultures, and promote the truth about Azerbaijan in the world. I wish each of you good health and every success on this path.
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku, 25 December 2013
