Azernews.Az

Friday March 29 2024

Moscow, Baku keen on deepening ties

6 June 2014 11:48 (UTC+04:00)
Moscow, Baku keen on deepening ties

By Nazrin Gadimova

Russia is interested in expanding and strengthening its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan.

This news was announced by Chairman of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin at a meeting with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov on June 5.

"We are confident that we, parliamentarians, can play a key role in this regard," Naryshkin said, addressing the event.

He said the inter-parliamentary cooperation is a part of a big political dialogue underway between Russia and Azerbaijan which highlights the role of the legislative bodies in expanding bilateral ties between the two countries.

"The parliamentary interaction creates a comfortable atmosphere for cooperation in all fields - in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian fields," the speaker of the State Duma added.

Asadov, in turn, stressed that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations with Russia.

"I am confident that such visits and meetings provide an opportunity to develop the inter-parliamentary relations," he said, adding that Russian-Azerbaijani relations have already reached the level of a strategic partnership.

Asadov also added that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin are expected to visit Azerbaijan, as a part of the 23rd Annual Session of the OSCE PA to open in Baku on June 28.

Asadov also invited Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin to attend a Baku meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu, Arif Rahimzade, Chairmen of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ali Huseynli, Deputies Ulvi Guliyev, Mikhail Zabelin, Mukhtar Babayev, as well as Head of the Parliament Secretariat Safa Mirzoyev and Russian deputies attended the event.

The meeting discussed the prospects of expanded relations between the two countries at the parliamentary level, the exchange of experiences in the field of law, mutual visits of deputies, further expansion of cooperation between two sides in various spheres and other issues of mutual interest.

Azerbaijani delegation led by Ogtay Asadov also met Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko.

The meeting highlighted the rapid development of the bilateral relations and inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

Addressing the event, Matviyenko said Russia attaches great importance to supporting dialogue between the parliaments and the countries, adding that Russia is interested in deepening cooperation with Azerbaijan in an international arena.

"As a chamber of regions, we attach special importance to inter-regional cooperation. We are happy that over 70 agreements have been signed between Azerbaijani and Russian regions," she said.

She also touched upon relations between Azerbaijan and Russia in the humanitarian field.

Ogtay Asadov, in turn, stressed that both countries have deep-rooted historical ties, adding that reciprocal visits and meetings provided ample opportunities for bilateral cooperation.

"The parliaments play a great role in developing relations between the two countries. We are cooperating both in a bilateral format and within international organizations and the CIS Parliamentary Assembly," he said, also stressing the role of Heads of State in developing relations.

Asadov also highlighted the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, adding that the problem is a serious obstacle for the development of the country and restoring peace in the region. He expressed regret that Azerbaijan faced double standards in settlement of the conflict and said he is confident that international organizations would increase their efforts.

The sides also exchanged views on the legal framework of bilateral cooperation.

Loading...
Latest See more