On April 22, Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, arrived in Moscow for a working visit following an invitation from Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation.

During his visit, President Aliyev had a one-on-one meeting with President Putin. In this meeting, President Aliyev expressed his appreciation for the Russian leadership's respect towards Heydar Aliyev's memory. "The Baikal-Amur Mainline was a nationwide project, and I am particularly grateful for your acknowledgment of Heydar Aliyev's contributions to this initiative. We plan to meet those who played a part in this monumental project. Such events that hold sentimental value greatly enhance the bond between our nations and foster the continuous development of our relationship," President Aliyev stated during the meeting.

Furthermore, President Aliyev conveyed satisfaction with the progression of Azerbaijani-Russian relations. "We are very pleased with the evolution of our ties. It has been over two years since we signed the Declaration on Allied Interaction here in the Kremlin in February 2022. This key political document has been pivotal in guiding the steady growth of our relations into the future," he added.

Additionally, at a joint meeting in Moscow with railway veterans and workers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM), President Aliyev expressed his gratitude towards President Putin for honoring Heydar Aliyev’s memory. "Special thanks to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for his respect towards Heydar Aliyevich Aliyev. It was in the early 2000s that Vladimir Vladimirovich and Heydar Aliyevich laid the groundwork for the friendly and neighborly relations that our countries enjoy today. Vladimir Vladimirovich’s visit to Azerbaijan in 2001 marked the start of a significant journey that we are still on," President Aliyev mentioned.

President Aliyev also highlighted Heydar Aliyev's enduring influence on bilateral relations between Russia and Azerbaijan. During the celebration, he acknowledged the contributions of BAM workers and recalled that a railway station in the Angoya settlement was named after Heydar Aliyev. "The BAM workers are well aware that he traveled almost the entire length of the line, from Bratsk to Vladivostok and Nakhodka, under challenging conditions by foot, train, and helicopter, spending ten days among them sharing their joys and sorrows," he added.

On the Russian side, President Putin noted the robust state of relations between the two nations, with a trade turnover reaching $4 billion. "Our relations are at a high level and continue to develop. Trade turnover is growing, and the intergovernmental commission is very active. We will also address regional security issues, which are quite sensitive," Putin stated.

President Putin also acknowledged Heydar Aliyev’s significant role in the BAM project, a major endeavor during the Soviet era. "Your father was one of the organizers of this grandiose project, which was of great importance for the entire Soviet Union," Putin said, noting that the efforts and labor invested by Heydar Aliyev in the BAM are still impactful today.