Opening the talks in expanded composition Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin briefed on their private meeting. Aliyev said the relations between the two states may be characterized as strategic partnership. In his words, bilateral relations, the Karabakh problem, regional and some international issues were discussed during the meeting. “I hope the businessmen of both states will know each other better and assess the possibilities available during the Azeri-Russia business forum opening in Baku. Russia and Azerbaijan’s economy is dynamically developing and new directions for cooperation appear,” Aliyev said. “I have no doubt that your arrival will strengthen our cooperation,” he added.
For his part Vladimir Putin thanked the Azerbaijani leader for the invitation “and the warm atmosphere of the talks. “Yesterday we opened negotiations on complicated international issues. We touched upon Karabakh as well. Our today’s conversation was rich and we discussed almost all the issues of the agenda. It is comforting that our economy is gradually developing and that the commodity turnover between the two states has exceeded $1 billion and raised with 40% during last year. This proves the accuracy of the way chosen,” he said, reported IA Regnum.
