Last week the chairman of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Russia, Gennady Zyuganov, visited Baku. He not only met the top authorities of Azerbaijan, but also looked at the life of the Russian world in Azerbaijan – he visited the Baku Slavic University, the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral and met representatives of the Russian community. The KPRF leader shared with Vestnik Kavkaza his impressions from the visit.
- Gennady Andreyevych, what did you discuss with the top authorities of Azerbaijan? What areas of cooperation between the two countries do you consider the most promising?
- I had very interesting talks with President Ilham Aliyev. I must say, he is a modern man who deeply sees problems. Especially when he had just returned from Munich, heard all the speeches, exchanged views.
The President of Azerbaijan is an active supporter of strategic cooperation with our country and sees the key areas in the spheres of economics, culture, politics and social issues. He is an influential man in the vast region and has authority and support in our country. In my opinion, the whole list of issues and trends that have emerged in recent years are extremely promising. And we will actively contribute to this.
I was pleased that the deputies of Azerbaijan have been actively supporting the Russian Federation in recent years in all international forums, including the PACE. This is also an indication. And this indicator is very striking and convincing. Especially when everyone is twisting hands, intimidating. The Azerbaijanis do not fear, they vote, support, act clearly and convincingly.
Our talks were held in the Parliament, the talks were very informative, interesting in all directions. I have been in the old part of the city, saw this magnificent tower of the fire-worshipers, quite interesting. I am satisfied with our short but very interesting trip and I will strongly contribute to the strengthening of our multilateral relations.
- Was the topic of Nagorno-Karabakh discussed during the visit?
- All topics were raised, but raised with smart tact, understanding well that this problem is acute and complex, with a sense of patience and desire to simultaneously solve it peacefully and understanding that, without Russia in the Caucasus, peace is not possible. I expressed this idea about a thousand times, because that is the way our history has developed, and the relations with Russia must be cherished.
- You wanted to learn about life of the Russian world in Baku and visited the Orthodox religious and cultural center of the Baku and Azerbaijani Eparchy. What are your impressions from them?
- I had been very concerned about the problem associated with the position of our Russian people. I had met a Bishop in the Orthodox Church, gave a lecture at the Slavic University and met the community. Sometimes someone comes and says: "We are forbidden, we are not given an opportunity, we are not allowed." It is not about Azerbaijan. The Russians actively interact, work, act, learn, support. I really liked the Moscow, St. Petersburg, Belarus and Serbian centers in the Slavic University. And that is in core significant. I looked through Russian language textbooks and musical compositions, which 23 school pupils of the third class presented excellently. 36 students, and no one forgot a single poem. Indeed, the very fact that they were perfectly performing, playing music, and they were dressed in costumes of that era and looked so convincing and clear, would make any school in Moscow envy them. When children are prepared in such a way, with respect for the relations with Moscow, with the Russian Federation, with the regions, formed from top to bottom, this is encouraging. This is must be learned in order to support each other.
