Round-table session on the topic “Foreign Diaspora - economic potential of Russia” attended by the co-chairman of the Azerbaijan-Moscow Intergovernmental Commission - the first vice-premier of Republic Abbas Abbasov and Mayor of Moscow Jury Luzhkov started at the Baku in representation of Russian Oil Company "Lukoil", 5 July.

Opening the session, Mr. Abbas Abbasov has noted that present visit of the delegation headed by Mayor of Moscow is one more evidence to the constant friendly policy pursued between capitals of the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan. The Russian delegation includes heads of various industries, sciences, and cultures. Initiated by the national leader, President Heydar Aliyev, the Azerbaijan-Moscow Intergovernmental Commission that for all period of the activity has carried out big work on improvement of economic links, has been created to increase commodity circulation between our countries. Speaking of the held meetings in the government of Azerbaijan, Abbas Abbasov has noted, that questions of both economic and humanitarian character have been discussed. Having touched visiting of the Baku Slavonic University, he has noted, that due to efforts of the Moscow Mayor, in this educational institution there has been set up a Center of cultural relations of Moscow and Russia.

In the most difficult for Azerbaijan days of 1993, when sharp shortage in bread and bakeries was felt, Jury Luzhkov always testing a sense of friendship and respect for Heydar Aliyev, has responded to his reference and has stretched to Azerbaijan a hand of help. “We shall never overlook it and with gratitude remember it”, has told Abbas Abbasaov. Jury Luzhkov always adhered to the position of recognition of the sovereignty of Azerbaijan and supported the policy pursued by great leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev, he has emphasized.

Speaking then Mayor of Moscow Jury Luzhkov, expressing feeling of pleasure from the meeting with compatriots, has noted, that support of Diaspora is an integral part of the state policy of Russia. He has assessed position of Russian Diaspora in Baku and in the whole in Azerbaijan which is at such level due to outstanding politician Heydar Aliyev. “We were rather amicable, though I counted him for myself senior comrade”- Jury Luzhkov has characterized his attitude to memory of our national leader.

As the Moscow Mayor has stated, after finding by former republics of USSR of independence and within the framework of formation of new geo-politic space, the Russian state tries to strengthen work with Diaspora. This activity has no any political ends, except for cooperation with those countries in which there is a Russian Diaspora. He also has stated a wish that various joint projects in these countries - as in the field of business, and culture, educations were carried out with active participation of representatives of Russian Diaspora.

Speaking about prospects of cooperation between the governments of Azerbaijan and Moscow, Mayor of Moscow has noted that the decision on allocation of the area under construction of 2 wholesale centers for realization of the Azerbaijan agricultural products, carrying out of training of students and teachers of the Baku Slavonic University has been recently adopted.

Then, Mr. Jury Luzhkov has presented computer equipment to the school in the Nikitin collective farm in the Ismailli district. Also speaking was the chairman of the Nikitin collective farm Nikolay Minnikov, chairman of Russian Community of Azerbaijan, deputy of Milli Majlis Michael Zabelin, who has thanked Mayor of Moscow for constant care of compatriots.

Summing up the first day of the "round table”, the first deputy foreign minister of Russia Eleonora Mitrofanova has noted importance of carrying out of such actions, having noted that Azerbaijan can become an example for many countries as a sample of high tolerance to representatives of various nationalities.

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On July 5, late at night Jury Luzhkov has left for Moscow.