Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Representation in Russia, Chairwoman of the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AYOR) Leila Aliyeva visited Yekaterinburg City of Sverdlovsk Oblast, on December 3rd.

During her visit, Mrs Aliyeva met with representatives of the regional departments of AYOR in Ural Federal District of Russia - Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk and Tyumen oblasts.
 
Opening the meeting, Azerbaijan`s Consul-General in Yekaterinburg Sultan Gasymov related the many-sided activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its Russia Representation, which aims at boosting bilateral humanitarian cooperation. Mr Gasymov called Leila Aliyeva's visit to Yekaterinburg a momentous event in the sociopolitical life of the City. The diplomat underlined the large-scale activity of AYOR, which unites Azerbaijani young people both in Moscow and throughout the Russian Federation.
 
Mrs Aliyeva outlined AYOR`s activity, its purposes and upcoming tasks, along with large-scale projects and events held by the Organization, and new projects which lay ahead. 
 
The Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Russia Office said: ‘Yekaterinburg is a pleasant city - there are many influential educational institutions here where Azerbaijanis study too. Very interesting stories related to young people happen here - festivals, concerts, and conferences are held. I am sure our young people will organize different cultural events more intensively with the support of AYOR and honorably represent our motherland’. She mentioned that a conference on the anniversary of AYOR's establishment was held on May 22. The event brought together a lot of students from Moscow, St Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Tver, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg and other regions. ‘The geography of AYOR is expanding and we are happy to report this. Azerbaijani youth clubs operate at a number of educational centers of Russia and numerous cultural events such as concerts, photo exhibitions, conferences, seminars, Azerbaijan Culture Days and Weeks are arranged along with AYOR’, Mrs. Aliyeva underlined. 
 
Mrs Aliyeva said that one of the most important projects of AYOR and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is the international campaign ‘Justice for Khojaly’ - which aims to communicate the details of the genocide committed by Armenians against the Azerbaijanis of Khojaly to the world community. She stated AYOR tries to cover all aspects of the young people's lives – it holds sport events, charity events, and helps students with their education. Leila Aliyeva said: ‘Eighteen students were recently granted AYOR’S “Outstanding Student” Award. I hope there will be even more such students next year’. 
 
The AYOR Chairwoman mentioned that the AYOR website has recently been upgraded. She said AYOR TV - that will soon be opened - will receive video materials from young people so that boys and girls from different regions of Russia can know each other better. ‘The second issue of AYOR magazine will soon be released. In this issue we have tried to cover the most interesting issues for young people. If someone has interesting articles, send them in to us and we'll post the best ones in the magazine’, Mrs Aliyeva added.
 
Leila Aliyeva summed up by saying: ‘I can confidently assert that as result of our joint efforts, initiatives and love for the homeland AYOR achieved a great deal during this short time and gained huge successes. At the same time, there's a lot of work and projects ahead, and I believe we can do really great work that worthily represents our home country’. Mrs Aliyeva expressed gratitude to all participants of the meeting and supporters of the Organization for activity and support. 
 
Chairman of the AYOR Sverdlovsk Oblast Regional Office, member of AYOR Administrative Staff Council Vusal Veliyev said formation of AYOR gave a huge contribution to the organization of Azerbaijani youth movement – not only in Sverdlovsk, but all over Russia. He noted that a new generation of Azerbaijanis tthat is trying to integrate actively into the Russian society is being formed in Russia. 
 
Heads of regional offices of AYOR in Chelyabinsk and Tyumen Regions, and students of different higher schools mentioned issues of youth organizations and discussed future plans. They thanked Leila Aliyeva for her care and attention to Azerbaijani youth, and the national costumes presented to the Sverdlovsk Oblast Regional Office of AYOR. Different speakers underlined that they will continue to take active part in all events of AYOR and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Representation in Russia. Leila Aliyeva was presented a souvenir by AYOR Sverdlovsk Office members.
 
A slideshow on the activities of Ural Federal District’s Azerbaijani Youth Organization was presented. 
 
Leila Aliyeva replied to questions on the projects which have been achieved, and about future plans. 
 
Vice President of Russia’s Azerbaijanis Congress Shahin Shykhlinsky was present in the meeting. 
 
The same day, Leila Aliyeva met with Chairperson of House of Representatives of Legislative Assembly of Sverdlovsk Oblast Lyudmila Babushkina to discuss prospects of humanitarian cooperation.