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Ramiz Mehdiyev: â€œAzerbaijan-Russia relations are developing dynamically in recent periodâ€

28 June 2012 10:12 (UTC +04:00)

Both presidents are interested in development of mutual cooperation between the countries in political, economical and cultural spheresâ€, said the chief of Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Ramiz Mehdiyev at the third Russia-Azerbaijan Regional Forum â€œAzerbaijan-Russia Dialogue 2012â€ organized in Baku, APA reports.

Ramiz Mehdiyev said 20 years passed since the establishment of Russia-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations: â€œIf we take a small excursion on the history of Azerbaijan-Russia diplomatic relations, since the restoration of our independence, we can see that the relations between the states were not so easy in the first years. But after nationwide leader Heydar Aliyevâ€™s coming to power the situation was changed in the positive direction. Leading independent Azerbaijan since summer 1993 Heydar Aliyev played a very important role in the establishment of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia and laid groundwork for strategic partnership between the countries. Mr. Vladimir Putin has given a new impulse to Azerbaijan-Russia relations since 2000 when he was elected as the president of Russian Federation. The leaders of the two states could restore the historic relations withstanding test of time and managed to preserve the stable, peaceful and neighborhood cooperation between the countries. The cooperation between the countries continues its intensive development as a result of the efforts made by the two presidentsâ€.

Ramiz Mehdiyev recalled that the highest level of relations between the two countries and the realization of constant visits of delegations of both countries: â€œPresident of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev mentioned that there wasnâ€™t any urgent problem in mutual cooperation between the countries. Today Azerbaijan and Russia are strategic partners. We managed to find optimal, mutually acceptable and profitable for both sides decisions on different problems and issues during the last years as a result of common efforts made by both sides. The agreement on states border was signed, the problem of rational use of Samur trans-boundary channel was solved and the situation of Russian citizens living in Azerbaijanâ€™s Khachmaz region was also regulated. I want to mention that the process of rapprochement of positions of Moscow, Baku and Astana on the status of the Caspian Sea was actually completed. This prospect can provide the consensus between the littoral states of the Caspian Seaâ€.

The head of the Presidential Administration underlined that Azerbaijan and Russia cooperate within the international organizations, including the UN, OSCE and Council of Europe: â€œWe are deeply grateful to Russian leadership for their active support during the election of Azerbaijan as the non-permanent member of UN Security Council. The election of Azerbaijan with the support of 155 countries is a truly historic event, which indicates the growing importance of Azerbaijan in the international arena.â€

Ramiz Mehdiyev said that main parameters of the economic and trade relations confirm the positive development trends of the bilateral relations: â€œThe Intergovernmental Commission on the Azerbaijan-Russia economic cooperation has been working since 1996. The Commission holds regular meetings to discuss key issues of trade and economic partnership and develop concrete proposals to this area. Russia was and remains main trade partner of Azerbaijan. More than 50% of our trade turnover with CIS countries falls to Russiaâ€™s share. Last year trade turnover between the two countries broke the record, amounting USD 2 billion 828, in other words, its volume increased by 47.4% in comparison to 2010. It makes us happy and then there are the best prospects in the future.â€

The head of the Presidential Administration said that currently 457 Russia enterprises and organizations are operating in the country: â€œ219 of them are functioning on a basis of Russian capital, 149 are joint enterprise and 89 are representation and branches. Oil company â€œLUKoilâ€, brewery â€œBaltikaâ€, Investment Commercial Bank â€œNikoilâ€, â€œBank VTBâ€ Joint Stock Company and many others are included into these lists.â€

The PA head said that currently more than 120 000 Russians live in Azerbaijan: â€œIt is the largest Russian Diaspora in the South Caucasus, which has preserved its ethnic identity, culture, language and faith. The country has created all conditions for the Russians, as well as representatives of other nationalities, fully integrated into the socio-economic, political and cultural life. The Russian community is a real bridge between our peoples.â€

Ramiz Mehdiyev underlined that since Azerbaijan has gained independence, Russian language has saved its position in all spheres of the society: â€œToday, students have the opportunity to get a full secondary education in Russian in more than 20 secondary schools and classes are being held in Azerbaijani and Russian languages in 327 schools. Russian faculties are operating in some of state and private universities of the country and more than 16 000 students study here. Baku Slavic University is one of the major centers for training specialists in Russian. A branch of the world famous Lomonosov Moscow State University was opened in our capital four years ago and the Russian State Drama Theater named after Samad Vurgun celebrated its 90th anniversary two years ago.â€

The PA official also recalled that the Eurovision-2012 song contest was held Azerbaijan this year: â€œ"We were pleased that the folk group from Udmurtia, Buranovskie Babushki won the love of the audience and took the second place and we congratulated you. It is no accident that Russia and Azerbaijan gave the highest score each other in this popular contest and demonstrated the mutual sympathy and support.â€

Ramiz Mehdiyev said that more than 70 regions of Russia cooperate with Azerbaijan. Speaking about the regions, which actively cooperate with Azerbaijan, the PA official said that 81% of the trade turnover between the two countries falls to the share of these countries. Ramiz Mehdiyev specially noted the Republic of Dagestan and the Astrakhan: â€œDagestan is a main trade partner of Azerbaijan among the Russian subjects. More than 80% of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and North Caucasus falls to Dagestanâ€™s share. Fraternal relations have been established between Derbent region of Dagestan with Khachmaz, Maharramkand and Gusar regions of Azerbaijan.â€