February 21 Russian President Vladimir Putin will leave for Baku, where he will take part in the opening of the Year of Russia in Azerbaijan. International Affairs Secretary of the People’s Front Party of United Azerbaijan Elchin Mirzabeyli believes Putin’s visit to Azerbaijan is of high importance to countries of the region. In his opinion, after the Rambouillet talks the discussion of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the framework of Russian President’s visit to Azerbaijan is very important. «Russia lately works actively to increase its influence in the region. Official Moscow is rather active in the G8 meetings. The coming visit is important to the South Caucasus from the point of view of clarification of some issues. The NK conflict and other conflicts on CIS territory are expected to be in focus of Putin’s statements,» he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Party functionary emphasized he does not believe any progress in the Karabakh issue will be made during Putin’s visit to Baku, as Russia fulfills its strategic interests via conflicts, reported the 525 Baku newspaper.
