Today, the 7th Forum of Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia "AYOR Generation: patriotism, creativity, success" has opened in Moscow at Crocus City Hall. The chairwoman of AYOR, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, addressed the participants of the forum, a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza reports.
In the first place, Leyla Aliyeva thanked the AYOR activists for their work in organizing and wished new members good luck in all their endeavors. "We have done a lot of work for 8 years. The main thing for us is preservation of ancient traditions, rich culture and history of Azerbaijan, mutual support, respect for all peoples and religions, integration into the Russian society in order to adequately represent Azerbaijan in Russia," she stressed.
As chairwoman of AYOR noted, members of the organization united by their love for Azerbaijan. "One of our major achievements is that to date AYOR has more than 60 regional offices throughout Russia. Our clubs regularly organize concerts and other events. I know that today many of you came to us from the regions. I want to thank you for it," Leyla Aliyeva said.
"Azerbaijani young people cherish the history of Azerbaijan. Therefore, each year we hold events dedicated to the memory of victims of the Khojaly tragedy in the framework of the campaign "Justice for Khojaly" in many parts of the world. The next year it will be 25 years since this terrible tragedy. It is very important for the world community to give a legal assessment of these events to avoid any repetition of this. The Khojaly genocide has been recognized by dozens of countries, ten US states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. But we will not stop, we will continue to work in this direction, and we believe that justice will prevail, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan will be restored and all the refugees and IDPs will return to their homes, " the vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation said.
"We are glad that today Azerbaijani students can receive education in the best Russian universities: there are branches of the Lomonosov Moscow State University and Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University in the republic. You also can learn foreign languages in the AYOR office," she added.
Leyla Aliyeva noted the importance of the proper representation of Azerbaijan in Russia by Azerbaijani youth, as the two countries share many years of friendship and good neighborliness. "It is very valuable that in our country Russian language is studied in schools, there are the Slavic State University and the Russian Drama Theatre. And our people are very fond of the great Russian culture, literature and art. Last year AYOR took part in the projects of 'We are the heirs of the Great victory' and 'Immortal Regiment' in many Russian cities, because it is our common history and common victory," the chairwoman of AYOR said.
"Five years ago, we created the IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) Public Association. Our main task is protecting endangered species. Our youth has planted over 5 million trees in Azerbaijan and Russia," Leyla Aliyeva stressed.
"Today, Azerbaijan has become a venue for a variety of forums, conferences, we hold the most interesting events. The Eurovision contest, the First European Games, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Chess Olympiad were successfully held. I am glad that they love our country and more and more people come to visit us. I would like once again to ask all of you to visit our city of Baku," the chairwoman of AYOR, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation concluded.
Speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, Leyla Aliyeva added that today's forum will be devoted to discussion of the latest AYOR projects. "We expect to hear suggestions from the youth. Now they will discuss new projects. I hope that we will have more initiatives in ecology, tree planting and environmental protection. Of course, we will hold our regular sports activities, and would be pleased if more young people from Russia are able to visit our country to take part in youth projects, which are held in Azerbaijan," she said.
