On June 19, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a prominent public and political figure of the Republic of Dagestan of the Russian Federation, Gurban Gurbanov, and presented him with the “Dostlug” (Friendship) Order.
President Ilham Aliyev said at the meeting:
– Dear Gurban Saidovich, you have recently celebrated your jubilee. First of all, I congratulate you on this landmark event. I wish you, your loved ones, and your family peace and happiness, and I convey my best wishes.
Your family has rightfully earned great respect both in Azerbaijan and in Dagestan. I always remember the unforgettable meetings with your father, the elder, the late Said Jamalovich. Of course, we both well remember the friendship between Said Jamalovich and the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Alirza oglu. Their close, sincere relationship was an example of friendship and brotherhood. Even in difficult times for Azerbaijan, we always felt the support of our Dagestani brothers.
Do you remember, when I became President, we met with Said Jamalovich many times, right here in this room, and presented awards. All this is in our memory; this is our common history. We are united by our common history, and Azerbaijan and Dagestan as a whole are united by both a common history and close kinship ties, common geography, and, I am sure, a common future. Close relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Dagestan are an important factor of stability, development, and progress in the Caucasus.
Both Said Jamalovich and you, as his worthy successor, have always done and are doing a lot to bring our peoples even closer, to consistently contribute to the economic development of our regions, which is an important factor in the system of common security and stability, and to the relations between people in general.
Speaking of elders, I cannot help but remember my grandfather, Aziz Aliyev, who led the republic during the difficult times for Dagestan and Dagestanis – the years of the Great Patriotic War – and who, unlike other peoples of the North Caucasus, did a lot to ensure that Dagestanis were not subjected to repressions and deportations. I know that the memory of Aziz Aliyev is held very dear in Dagestan, and his contributions to development, and most importantly, his leadership of the republic during the very difficult period of the war and the positive mark he left, are, of course, a source of pride for us and for me as his grandson.
There is a statue in my office. This statue was in Aziz Aliyev’s office in Makhachkala. The Dagestanis preserved it and recently gifted it to me. I have no statues in this office or in my other work offices, only this one. This is a keepsake of my grandfather, which, unfortunately, I do not remember, but which lives in the historical memory of both Azerbaijanis and Dagestanis. Thus, we have many things in common, and I want to say once again: the strengthening of brotherly relations between the peoples of Dagestan and Azerbaijan in many cases depends on the sustainable development of the entire Caucasus region.
I am very glad to congratulate you personally today; I have already conveyed my congratulations, and I have signed an Order on awarding you with a high state award – the “Dostlug” Order. Now I would like to present this order to you personally.
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The head of state presented the order to Gurban Gurbanov.
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Gurban Gurbanov said: “Ilham Heydar oglu, I am very touched by your attention and, first of all, by the high award you have given to my father, my brother, and now to me. As you rightly noted, we will always value and preserve the sincere friendship that existed between Heydar Alirza oglu and Said Jamalovich.”
Gurban Gurbanov said that the sincere relationship between his father and the Great Leader was of historical importance in terms of strengthening friendship between Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation and Dagestan. He noted that the memory of the prominent statesman Aziz Aliyev is commemorated with great respect in Dagestan.
Gurban Gurbanov said: “You know, Dagestanis remember and honor Aziz Aliyev with great respect. There is a beautiful, good, and magnificent monument to Aziz Aliyev in Makhachkala. There are many streets bearing his name. This is history; everyone always speaks openly about him and is proud of it.”
The guest recalled with pleasure his and his father’s meetings with the National Leader and the head of our state. Emphasizing that deep respect for the memory of the Great Leader is always maintained in Dagestan, Gurban Gurbanov spoke about the work done to perpetuate the name of the great personality, noting in this regard the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center under the Derbent branch of the Azerbaijan State University of Economics and the participation of the Dagestani leadership in this event.
