A ceremony to inaugurate the fast crew boat after People's Artists of the USSR, world-renowned singer Muslim Magomayev has been held.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, his wife Mehriban Aliyeva and spouse of Muslim Magomayev, People's Artists of the USSR Tamara Sinyavskaya attended the ceremony.

Tamara Sinyavskaya cut the ribbon symbolizing the launch of the boat.

Then Muslim Magomayev`s famous “Azerbaijan” song was performed.

A picture was taken.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the conditions created at the facility. Chairman of “Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company” CJSC Rauf Valiyev informed the head of state that the fast crew boat Muslim Magomayev was purchased under a long-term alliance agreement with Caspian Marine Services company. The length of the boat is 70m, width is 16m, and height of the side is 6m. It was built with lightweight marine-grade aluminium. The world's largest fast crew was constructed at Australian Incat Tasmania shipyard. Having completed sea trials, the boat departed to Baku on October 4. A corner reflecting photos of Muslim Magomayev was created at the facility. President Ilham Aliyev was told that the boat arrived in Baku port on December 4. The facility can carry 150 passengers.

People's Artists of the USSR Tamara Sinyavskaya thanked President Ilham Aliyev for his attention to memory of Muslim Magomayev.

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the creative work of Muslim Magomayev, adding his memory will live forever in the hearts of the people of Azerbaijan.

Tamara Sinyavskaya pushed the button to launch the boat.

The new high-speed boat will allow operational efficiency over helicopter transfer for both passengers and cargo, while reducing stress on passengers.

Expressing her gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the attention to the memory of the internationally renowned singer Muslim Magomayev, People’s Artist of the USSR Tamara Sinyavskaya said:

- Thank you very much. I know that I am some kind of a godmother now, I am told. And I need the say words such as “a happy journey”.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, thank you very much. I did not expect that after six years I would be able to smile happily. I did not expect this because, in addition to tears, I also have completely different emotions here. And I want to thank you again, Mr. President, for so quickly and extraordinarily realizing the dream I had subconsciously cherished. And Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has always been and always will be my guardian angel.

President Ilham Aliyev, speaking about the unique works of Muslim Magomayev, said that his memory would live in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people forever:

- It is a truly beautiful day today. This ship has been named after Muslim today. It will serve for the benefit of our beautiful country, the homeland of Muslim, which he loved, to which he was very attached and for which he wrote a beautiful song "Azerbaijan", a song that is a symbol of our country today. The song "The Sea" which Muslim sang reflects his love of our city and sea. Perhaps no-one has ever written a better song about the sea. Today we are making the first step in perpetuating the memory of our dear Muslim – the pride of the Azerbaijani people – in Azerbaijan. First but not last. Further steps will be taken. His name will live in our memories, in our soul, in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people and in the heart of Russia forever. He has always said that Azerbaijan was his father and Russia was his mother. He was born and educated and became famous in Azerbaijan, while in Russia he earned himself international renown and was able to fully realize his creative potential. He was a unique personality with many talents. It is very hard to imagine any one person to combine so many talents. But he did. Everyone who knew him can confirm that. And along with that, he was a wonderful person. It is also quite rare for one person to combine good human and creative qualities. And no-one can sing Muslim’s songs the way he did. There have been a lot of attempts, which is quite clear. There are many people trying to sing his songs, and I welcome that because these songs should live on. But no-one has been able and, I think, will not be able to sing the way Muslim did. Today, every time we hear his songs, we experience a sense of joy, sadness and a feeling of pain that he left us so early. But he lives in our hearts, in our memory, in the memory of his friends.

And we were very close friends and treated each other with very great sympathy and respect. I am very glad that today, together with Tamara and Mehriban, we saw the pictures on the ship that reflect his relationship with my father who treated him like a son, and he treated him like a father. So this family-like atmosphere was passed on to the whole society, I think.

Everyone in Azerbaijan loved and will love and remember him forever.

Tamara Sinyavskaya said:

- Thank you so much. I pray to God to bless the blessed land of Azerbaijan, you, Mr President, you, Mrs. Aliyeva, this ship, and seven feet under its keel.

Tamara Sinyavskaya then pressed the button symbolizing the commissioning of the ship.

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President Ilham Aliyev: It is very good that vessels of the Caspian Shipping Company operate in the Black Sea. The shipping company has a bright future. The reforms under way, the structural reforms and the steps related to the shipping company are yielding excellent results. There will be even better results. The shipping company has recently been provided with additional financial support. I am sure that the Caspian Shipping Company will assert itself in the world as a great and modern company.

Several international companies such as SOCAR, AZAL and others already operate in Azerbaijan. Of course, there are also private companies. But among public companies the Caspian Shipping Company has its own place, a great history and traditions. Our shipping company has always played a major role in the Caspian Sea. By creating a modern company today, we will strengthen our economic potential. At the same time, the Caspian Shipping Company will assert itself globally as a modern, well managed and transparent company. I wish you every success.

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President Ilham Aliyev also reviewed the Lankaran towing-supply vessel. The vessel is 74.5m in length and 17.2m in width. The Lankaran towing-supply vessel is the leader in the Caspian Sea for its technical indicators. The tractive force of the 16,320-horsepower vessel is 207 tons.

Then President Ilham Aliyev had a conversation with the captain of a vessel sailing in the Black Sea under Azerbaijani flag through a video conference.

President Ilham Aliyev: It is very good that vessels of the Caspian Shipping Company operate in the Black Sea. The shipping company has a bright future. The reforms under way, the structural reforms and the steps related to the shipping company are yielding excellent results. There will be even better results. The shipping company has recently been provided with additional financial support. I am sure that the Caspian Shipping Company will assert itself in the world as a great and modern company.

Several international companies such as SOCAR, AZAL and others already operate in Azerbaijan. Of course, there are also private companies. But among public companies the Caspian Shipping Company has its own place, a great history and traditions. Our shipping company has always played a major role in the Caspian Sea. By creating a modern company today, we will strengthen our economic potential. At the same time, the Caspian Shipping Company will assert itself globally as a modern, well managed and transparent company. I wish you every success.

President Ilham Aliyev gave relevant instructions.