Aliyev cites close ties with Russian leader
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has focused
attention on high-level relations with his Russian counterpart
following recently concluded bilateral talks.
"I am very pleased that we have forged very close, friendly relations with President Dmitry Medvedev," he said in an interview with the heads of Russia`s leading media on Saturday.
Aliyev stressed a number of factors contributing to this closeness.
"We represent the same generation, have received approximately the same education, and have been engaged in politics since early years. And, prior to becoming presidents, we were actively dealing with various issues that represented great importance for our countries. Certainly, personal sympathy plays a rather important role in relations between countries, and I am delighted that the ties which have emerged between me and the Russian president are creating a very good basis for augmenting full-fledged relations between our countries."
The Russian and Azerbaijani leaders held a meeting in Moscow on Friday. Despite the global economic recession, both presidents pointed to the importance of maintaining economic cooperation.
Medvedev said the two countries could boast of a high level of economic and trade relations. "Trade between our countries increased 40% last year. These results have not been accomplished by the exchange of energy alone. The exchange of goods is also quite significant," he said.
The volume of trade between Azerbaijan and Russia reached $2.4 billion in 2008.
Aliyev, for his part, said the global economic crisis had affected the development of economic cooperation, but expressed hope that bilateral trade turnover would still reach $3bn.
The president described Russia as "Azerbaijan`s neighbor, friend and strategic partner" and pledged to do his best to maintain this high level of partnership.
"I am very pleased that we have forged very close, friendly relations with President Dmitry Medvedev," he said in an interview with the heads of Russia`s leading media on Saturday.
Aliyev stressed a number of factors contributing to this closeness.
"We represent the same generation, have received approximately the same education, and have been engaged in politics since early years. And, prior to becoming presidents, we were actively dealing with various issues that represented great importance for our countries. Certainly, personal sympathy plays a rather important role in relations between countries, and I am delighted that the ties which have emerged between me and the Russian president are creating a very good basis for augmenting full-fledged relations between our countries."
The Russian and Azerbaijani leaders held a meeting in Moscow on Friday. Despite the global economic recession, both presidents pointed to the importance of maintaining economic cooperation.
Medvedev said the two countries could boast of a high level of economic and trade relations. "Trade between our countries increased 40% last year. These results have not been accomplished by the exchange of energy alone. The exchange of goods is also quite significant," he said.
The volume of trade between Azerbaijan and Russia reached $2.4 billion in 2008.
Aliyev, for his part, said the global economic crisis had affected the development of economic cooperation, but expressed hope that bilateral trade turnover would still reach $3bn.
The president described Russia as "Azerbaijan`s neighbor, friend and strategic partner" and pledged to do his best to maintain this high level of partnership.
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