The conference was opened with an introductory speech by Russian ideologist Alexander Dugin:
'I welcome everybody to our international conference Moscow-Baku, we invited prominent political and public figures, first of all Azerbaijani guests, to discuss the Moscow-Baku axis. It's not so much about interstate relations as about relations between nations... Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing country, an established state, a sovereign one, gaining strength... The policy of Ilham Aliyev, especially in the last decades, has yielded very important results: what used to be a cool relationship is now moving to the level of strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan. Personal relations between the two presidents play a huge role...'
According to the chairman of the Izborsk club, writer Alexander Prokhanov, today Azerbaijan is forming a new vision of the region.
'Everything has shifted here and is in a complex mix. Azerbaijan manages to find its harmonious place. It does not belong to this or that alliance. Azerbaijan wants to harmonise relations between Russia and Turkey, as well as Russia and Iran. A new generation of Azerbaijani diplomats successfully resolves the problems in the region, on which the rest of the world depends,' Prokhanov said.
The head of the Communist Party of Russia, Gennady Zyuganov began his speech with an excursion into history. The leader of the Communists noted that their party and all national-patriotic forces are preparing for the 100th anniversary of the Great October Revolution, as well as for holding events dedicated to the victory over the German fascists.
'I want to note that 80% of all planes and cars were refueled with Baku oil. Baku and Azerbaijan played a strategic role in our victory. It is no coincidence that the fascists were so eager for the Caucasus and Stalingrad to cut the Volga and not allow the flow of Baku oil,' Zyuganov said.
'I was the personal guest of President Heydar Aliyev and knew him closely. At one time we prepared reports together, and he brilliantly performed in the Kremlin. I want to remind those present here about the personal feat of Heydar Aliyev. When the whole of Azerbaijan suddenly blazed, he headed the republic and took a number of measures, which should be learned from. He did everything possible to prevent the military conflict from escaping: he personally traveled to hot spots and curbed the elements. He personally guaranteed the safety of all Russians and thanks to this, the Russian community was preserved in Azerbaijan,' he said.
Zyuganov especially noted the efforts of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, the First Vice-President, Mehriban Aliyeva to preserve the Russian language in Azerbaijan. According to him, today high-level Russian language is taught in 380 schools in Azerbaijan. The politician noted that he visited dozens of cities in the world and he is simply amazed by what he saw in Baku.
'Until recently, nothing like this happened. The city is absolutely clean and well maintained. We must learn a lot from them. The father and son Aliyev united all oil exploration and established the State Oil Company, which directs huge efforts for social needs and serves strengthening unity in the republic,' he said.
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