Azernews.Az

The upcoming presidential poll in Russia will not affect the country's ties with Azerbaijan, Ambassador Vasili Istratov says.
"Our relations will continue along the same course after the elections," he told reporters last week, pointing out that these ties were of strategic importance.
With regard to the candidacy of First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is seen as a frontrunner in the election race, Istratov reminded that the former had visited Azerbaijan in the past and succeeded in advancing bilateral ties.
"I am confident that our relations will further develop. We should pay particular attention to economic ties," the envoy said.
Head of the Azerbaijan President's Office international relations department, Novruz Mammadov, said Medvedev could continue Russian President Vladimir Putin's policy if he succeeds him in the Kremlin next year.
"Both Putin and the United Russia party took a wise, and, as a matter of fact, anticipated step. In my view, Medvedev is the most dedicated successor of Putin's political course. Moreover, Western analysts have a positive opinion about his candidacy," Mammadov said.
Early last week Putin endorsed Medvedev as his potential successor. Reports say that the endorsement could be seen as an indication that he stands a good chance at winning the March 2 presidential election.
The announcement may put to rest speculations as to who would succeed Putin, who is required to step down next year after two consecutive terms.
Medvedev is a lawyer from Putin's hometown of St Petersburg. The two worked together in the city administration in the 1990s.
The ruling United Russia party won the parliamentary election early this month, gaining 64% of the seats in the State Duma. Western countries have criticized the vote and called on the Russian authorities to investigate allegations of electoral fraud.