President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva, together with Latvian President Valdis Zatlers and his spouse Lilita Zatlere, visited the “Freedom” monument, located on the central square.
A guard of honor was lined up on the square.
President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse laid flowers at the monument, commemorating soldiers, killed during the Latvian War of Independence.
A military orchestra performed the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Latvia.
President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers told the Azerbaijani President that the monument, which is a symbol of independence for the Latvian people, was unveiled on November 18, 1935. Latvia proclaimed its independence exactly on November 18, 1918. When Latvia was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, laying flowers at the monument was outlawed. Despite this, the Latvian people would commemorate the national freedom movement, the anniversary of historical events and the memories of the victims of mass repression at this monument. The struggle for independence of the people at the end of the last century was also started at this monument.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a conversation with the eldest resident of Riga and was photographed.
President of Azerbaijan was also briefed on the restoration works carried out around the monument.
