Itar-Tass, Russia
Oct 19 2004

Russia, Azeri presidents to discuss Caucasus sit, Karabakh

MOSCOW, October 19 (Itar-Tass) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is
to hold a meeting here on Tuesday with his Azeri counterpart Ilkham
Aliyev, who arrived here on Monday for a working visit.

A Kremlin administration official has told Itar-Tass, “Putin and
Aliyev will exchange views on the development of the situation in the
Caucasus area”. In this context, considering the September meetings
of the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia in Astana, Putin
and Aliyev will discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

“Russia welcomes a continuation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian dialogue
at various levels, primarily at top level, and is prepared to render
an active assistance to the sides involved in the conflict in the
search for a way out towards a mutually acceptable solution, both on
a bilateral basis and as a co-chairman of the OSCE (Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe) Minsk Group (on Nagorno-Karabakh)
and act as guarantor of the prospective accord”, the Russian
presidential administration official pointed out.

Kremlin analysts expect that the two presidents will devote much
attention to a discussion of ways to invigorate the two countries’
anti-terrorist interaction, considering their common attitude towards
the need to intensify the efforts of the world community in the fight
against international terrorism.

“Figuring importantly at the upcoming talks will be matters
concerning a rise in the effectiveness of bilateral
trade-and-economic cooperation, the task of doubling trade turnover
in the coming years, interaction in the fuel-and-energy sector,
machine building, transport, the development of cooperation between
Russia’s regions and Azerbaijan,” the presidential administration
official said.

The Azerbaijani President’s working visit has been timed to coincide
with the holding of the 2nd convention of the All-Russia Azerbaijani
Congress (ARAC) in Moscow. This is the largest and most influential
all-Russia public organisation, which brings together Azerbaijanis
who reside and Russia, and which plays an important role in the
socio-economic and cultural life of Russia, and in the strengthening
of Russo-Azerbaijani versatile cooperation.

Forum organisers have announced that participants in the ARAC
convention will discuss ways to unite Azerbaijanis who live in Russia
still more closely and raise their economic and socio-political
status. Those present at the convention are also to consider problems
being encountered by Azerbaijanis in Russia.

The ARAC was established in March 2001 with the support of the
leadership of the two countries. The first session of the ARAC was
held in October of the same year. The forum has united more than 70
Azerbaijani public organisations, including regional ones instituted
in 54 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The ARAC
activities involve prominent scientists, cultural figures, members of
business circles closely connected with Russia and Azerbaijan. The
ARAC prioritises the preservation of spiritual and historical
traditions of Azeri nationals, and the ensurance of the legal
protection of compatriots from manifestations of discrimination on an
ethnic basis.