Azernews.Az

Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, based on strategic partnership, continue to successfully develop in all areas, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a statement to participants of a Russian-Azerbaijani forum held in Baku last week.

``It is remarkable that the event, becoming a tradition, has turned into an effective forum to discuss pressing issues of bilateral cooperation,`` said the president`s message, read out by the head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev at the inter-regional Russian-Azerbaijani Dialogue-2012 forum.

``Intensifying the relations in economic, scientific and humanitarian fields has a positive impact on the well-being of the citizens of both countries and strengthens the historic ties of friendship between the two nations,`` the message said.

Aliyev wrote that the recent experience shows that a favorable trade and investment climate created between the regions of neighboring countries will help prevent the impact of the global financial crisis faced by many world countries.

``In this respect, the inter-regional cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia is a good example,`` the president said. ``I would like to stress that presently our country has direct relations with most of the entities of the Russian Federation. Intergovernmental agreements have been signed with some of them.``

President Aliyev expressed confidence that the business dialogue and discussions at the forum would give a new impetus to the development of Azerbaijani-Russian relations, further promote mutual understanding and expand cooperation between the two countries.

The forum was organized with the support of the Azerbaijani and Russian presidential administrations. Representatives of Russian central and regional bodies, large, medium and small businesses, Russian and Azerbaijani NGOs attended the forum. Its agenda included the development of interregional cooperation, banking, monetary and investment policy, humanitarian cooperation and other issues.

Presidential Administration chief Ramiz Mehdiyev said in his remarks that regular conduct of Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forums is based on the political will of Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin, who are interested in boosting the partnership and expanding the cooperation between the two countries.

``This forum is making an invaluable contribution to the development of these relations. This effective platform gives us an opportunity to discuss urgent issues, to determine the prospects of cooperation and ways to solve the problems,`` Mehdiyev said.

He said Azerbaijan`s late national leader, former President Heydar Aliyev laid the foundation for strategic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan. Russian President Vladimir Putin`s taking office in 2000 also had a positive effect on the stability of good neighborly relations between the two countries, which continue to develop to this day, Mehdiyev said.

``Today, Azerbaijan and Russia are strategic partners,`` he said.

Regarding bilateral economic relations, Mehdiyev said Russia is Azerbaijan`s main trading partner. He said Russia accounts for over 50 percent of the South Caucasus republic`s trade turnover with CIS countries. In 2011, bilateral trade hit a record high of $2.828 billion, a 47.4 percent increase from 2010.

According to the Presidential Administration chief, 457 Russian companies and organizations are active in Azerbaijan. 219 of them operate with 100 percent Russian capital, 149 are joint ventures, and 89 are representative offices and subsidiaries. These include such giants as Lukoil, Nikoil investment bank and VTB Bank, and Baltika Breweries.

Mehdiyev also said over 120,000 Russians live in Azerbaijan.

``I would like to note that this is the biggest Russian diaspora in the South Caucasus, which has preserved its ethnic identity, culture, language and religion,`` he said. ``Just like people of other nationalities, Russians have been provided with every opportunity in the republic to be able to integrate into the country`s social, economic, political and cultural life. The Russian community is a real bridge between our nations.``

Vladimir Chernov, head of the Russian Presidential Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries, said addressing the forum that interregional dialogue is one of the main aspects of the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan.

He said Moscow and Baku have done much to improve their relations based on centuries-old traditions of friendship.

``The unique experience of inter-state relations provides a prerequisite for strengthening strategic cooperation and progress,`` he said. ``Not only humanitarian cooperation, but also trade and economic indices confirm strong strategic relations.``

He added that the initiatives put forward by Baku and Moscow are being supported by the leadership of the two countries.

``The role of the inter-regional partnership in the context of Azerbaijani-Russian relations is important,`` he said. ``Currently, more than 70 Russian regions have been involved in this process.``

Chernov also read out Russian President Vladimir Putin`s message to the participants.

``The ongoing forum in Baku is one of the most effective instruments of the interaction between Azerbaijan and Russia,`` the Russian President`s message said. ``This forum is a platform for an open and constructive dialogue between the two countries. It is a powerful generator of ideas for the prospects of bilateral relations.``

Declaration

In conclusion of the Baku forum, participants adopted a final declaration. Confirming their readiness to contribute to the development of Russian-Azerbaijani dialogue by increasing fruitfulness of the links between the subjects of Azerbaijan and Russia, the signatories cited the need to develop cooperation in several areas.

These areas cover cooperation in creating favorable conditions for the development of mutually beneficial trade, improving the bilateral contractual framework in labor migration, developing industrial cooperation, intensifying inter-regional dialogue in the fuel and energy, industrial and transport sectors, creating competitive conditions for businesses based in the two countries, and cooperation in the financial sector.

The parties also aim to ensure suitable conditions for the development of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious bonds.

Also, the forum participants noted the importance of signing a long-term economic cooperation program in the near future.

Ali Hasanov, the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration`s head of social and political issues, said various aspects of inter-regional Azerbaijani-Russian relations have been discussed for three years.

Hasanov noted that the expansion of ties between youths was among the issues discussed.

Hasanov said the status of the forum should be increased to the level of an interstate event.

He added, ``The Azerbaijani side is very satisfied with the results of today`s forum, which we will analyze. The Azerbaijani state and people intend to continue their strategic cooperation with Russia.``