ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
October 18, 2004 Monday 3:49 AM Eastern Time

Anti-terrorist coop prioritized in Russia-Azerbaijan relations

By Yelena Volkova

MOSCOW

The strengthening of the anti-terrorist cooperation of the countries
is prioritized in the dialogue of Russia and Azerbaijan, spokesman
for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko told Itar-Tass
over the Moscow visit of Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev that
began on Monday.

According to Yakovenko, Russia and Azerbaijan “come out for the need
to pool efforts of the world community in the fight against
international terrorism.” As for the political dialogue of the
countries Yakovenko noted that the sides exchange views on granting
the legal status to the Caspian Sea. “The prospects of holding the
second Caspian summit are considered,” he emphasized.

Moscow “welcomes the continued Azerbaijani-Armenian dialogue on
various levels.” The Russian side believes that “the parties to the
conflict should settle the conflict on the mutually acceptable
basis.” Russia “is ready to provide active assistance to them in this
issue, on the bilateral basis and as the co-chairman of the Minsk
OSCE group and become a guarantor of the reached agreement.”

Ilkham Aliyev plans to take part in the second meeting of the
all-Russian Azerbaijani Congress on Tuesday, October 19. “Azerbaijan
is Russia’s important partner in the South Caucasus. The Azerbaijani
diaspora in our country plays an important role in strengthening
friendly relations,” Yakovenko pointed out.