RUSSIA TRYING TO BE FRIENDLIER IN THE CAUCASUS
The FINANCIAL
Sept 17 2008
Georgia
The FINANCIAL — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Azerbaijani
counterpart, Ilkham Aliyev, met in MOSCOW on Seotember 16 to discuss
economic cooperation and the situation in the Caucasus.
According to RIA-Novosti, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said
before the talks that the meeting was an opportunity to discuss
"the development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations."
The Russian leader added that he expected the trade between the two
countries to rise this year by almost 18%, to $2 billion.
Intensive interaction between Russia and Azerbaijan helps strengthen
peace and stability in the Caucasus, he said according to Xinhua.
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, Xinhua reports.
According to APA Economics, President Aliyev has also emphasized
that Azerbaijan hopes for continuation of Russia’s active role in the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "Despite all difficulties,
there are good basis for the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict
today".
Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev said his country didn’t change its
position on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and supported
direct negotiations between the sides. "This issue took important
place in the negotiations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. We
advocate for continuation of the negotiations in near future. Russia
will continue its efforts for finding the way of solution acceptable
for the sides".
According to Xinhua, Aliyev was in MOSCOW for a one-day visit, and
his meeting with Medvedev was the third one this year.