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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev starts his visit to Azerbaijan

02 September 2010 16:52 (UTC +04:00)

Within the framework of the two-day visit, he will discuss the issues of Azerbaijan-Russian economic and trade cooperation, as well as mutual activity on the Caspian Sea during his visit to Azerbaijan, which is started on Thursday, said aide to the Russian President Sergei Prikhodko.

The Russian Presidentâ€™s visit to Baku will last until September 3.

Prikhodko said a boundary treaty and intergovernmental agreement on rational use and protection of water resources of the Samur boundary river were expected to be signed between Russia and Azerbaijan at the end of the visit.

The presidential aide said the boundary treaty would specify the state borders of Russia and Azerbaijan and added that Azerbaijan signs first such agreement with Russia.

Regarding the intergovernmental agreement, Sergei Prikhodko noted that this document considers establishing the Russian-Azerbaijan intergovernmental commission, which will regulate use of water resources of Samur River on the parity basis. â€œThese documents will be a basis for further development of the strategic partnership relations between the countries and will contribute to the security and stability in the Caucasusâ€.

He said economic and trade cooperation would also be on the focus of attention during the visit.

Russian-Azerbaijan trade turnover was $1.78 billion in 2009.

The issues of mutual activity on the Caspian Sea, exploration of natural resources, protection of environment, cooperation between the boundary regions, oil and gas cooperation, as well as mutual industrial investment activities will be discussed within the bilateral cooperation.

Azerbaijani and Russian presidents intend to discuss the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and international cooperation in the Caspian region among the international issues.

Dmitry Medvedev will visit Heydar Aliyevâ€™s grave in the Honor Alley and Martyrs Alley. Today Russian President will attend the official dinner that will be given on behalf of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The talks will be first held on the presidential level, later the talks will continue with the participation of the delegations. Documents will be signed following the discussions. SOCAR and Gazprom are expected to sign an additional agreement to the contract on increasing natural gas supplies in 2011-2012.

According to Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee Alexey Miller, the holding is interested to buy the natural gas proposed by Azerbaijan at full volume. Azerbaijan has started gas delivery to Russia since January 1. Last October SOCAR and Gazprom signed an agreement on the purchase and sale of Azerbaijani gas with the option of increasing the volume of gas in 2010-2015. Gazprom first planned to buy 0.5 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan, later the companies agreed to increase the volume. So, Russia will buy 1 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan in 2010, 2 billion cubic meters of gas next year.

Dmitry Medvedev will also meet with the teachers and students of Baku State University. Russian President will be awarded the diploma of honorary doctor of the university.

Russian President will be accompanied by his aide Sergei Prikhodko, Deputy Prime Minister, Presidentâ€™s plenipotentiary representative to the North Caucasus Federal District Alexander Khloponin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko, heads of a number of regions, including presidents of Dagestan and Ingushetia, Russian business representatives, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee Alexey Miller.