Top official: Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forum significantly contributes to development of relations

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 28 / Trend E. Tariverdiyeva / Regularly holding the Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forum is the political will of the Azerbaijani and Russian presidents Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin, who are interested in intensifying the partnership and expanding the cooperation between the two countries, the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration head Ramiz Mehdiyev said at the opening ceremony today. "This forum is making an invaluable contribution to the development of these relations," he added. "This effective platform gives an opportunity to discuss urgent issues, to determine the prospects of cooperation and the ways to solve the problems." "This year is significant as Russia and Azerbaijan are celebrating the 20th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations," Mehdiyev added. "We have approached this point having significant achievements," Mehdiyev noted. "Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev laid the foundation for strategic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan," Mehdiyev said. "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 today." "Today, Azerbaijan and Russia are strategic partners," he said. "We found a mutually beneficial solution to many issues. This also refers to the Samur River and the border issue. The process on the status of the Caspian Sea between Baku, Moscow and Astana has been almost completed. The two countries have a high level of cooperation within international organizations, such as the OSCE, UN and others." "We are grateful to Russia for active support while electing Azerbaijan to the UN Security Council," Mehdiyev said. The third Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forum "Russian-Azerbaijani dialogue 2012" has today opened in Baku. The forum has been organized by the "Eurasian Research Institute" Development Fund with the support of the Azerbaijani and Russian Presidential Administrations. The representatives of the Russian central and regional bodies, large, medium and small business, Russian and Azerbaijani NGOs attended the forum. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az