RUSSIAN, AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTS DISCUSS CAUCASUS SITUATION
Xinhua
Sept 16 2008
China
MOSCOW, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met
with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev here Tuesday to discuss
the Caucasus situation and bilateral ties among other issues.
"We have to synchronize watches taking into account the problems
that emerged in the Caucasian region after Georgia’s aggression,"
Itar-Tass cited the Russian president as saying during the talks.
Intensive interaction between Russia and Azerbaijan helps strengthen
peace and stability in the Caucasus, he said.
Aliyev echoed Medvedev, adding that bilateral cooperation in this
regard needs to be further expanded so as to ensure peace and
predictability.
The two presidents also discussed the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement, a territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and neighboring
Armenia.
"I reassert Russia’s firm position, expressed support for further
direct talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents and
assured Ilham Aliyev that Russia would continue assisting the
search for a mutually acceptable solution in every possible way,"
Medvedev said.
Aliyev was in Moscow for a one-day visit, and his meeting with Medvedev
was the third one this year.