Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation Aleksandr Voloshin now staying for a visit in Azerbaijan.

Welcoming the guest, Prime-Minister of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said: Welcome to Azerbaijan. I know you have had very interesting meetings here, and I am sure your visit will promote further development of the relations between our countries. We are completely satisfied with the level of relationship Russia and Azerbaijan have established for the last years. We can observe evident progress in all spheres including political consultations, economic and cultural relations.

The visit by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to Azerbaijan was very important for us: after that - I think our citizens would share my opinion - relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have reached a brand level. Very friendly ties has been established between our presidents that guarantees further building our relationship on the basis of good neighboring, friendship and brotherhood. We are realizing a plenty of very important joint economic projects. We are pleased that Russian companies show great interest in co-operation in various branches of economy, and we have always strived for the links between our countries in relation to development and application of economic potential to be used in full measure.

Of course, the firmest basis for that is mutual understanding between the two states at a political level, between the Presidents. Our President Heydar Aliyev would state Russia is Azerbaijan’s strategic partner. Today, we see in practice that the relations of strategic partnership meet both countries’ interests.

We have full information of the events taking place in Russia watching the country’s TV channels, and would like the Russian citizens to be informed on what is going on in Azerbaijan as well. We had common history and close ties, and I think our main task is not to allow next generations loose this interaction. I consider the relations between our countries’ are very important and useful at all levels. So, I once again want to express to you my gratitude for coming to Azerbaijan. I am confident, as I said earlier, that your visit will serve strengthening of our relations in all spheres.”

Having thanked Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev for the warm reception, the Head of the Administration of the President of Russian Federation Aleksandr Voloshin said:

“Dear Ilham Heydaroviuch, indeed, the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have a great potential. This potential was created by both previous common history and good mutual understanding between the two Presidents.”

This mutual understanding, multiplied by potential of economic, political and all kind of cooperation, promises much to the two countries. Azerbaijan is considered by Russia as the most prior partner. Your country is not only close and native for us, but from the political and economic point of view, we have friends and partners. We have our allies here.

We are happy that our cooperation is developing in this context. We intend to do our best so that our relations were developing in the name of both Russia and Azerbaijan. This is, in fact, the only option, when these relations will be able to develop for the two states. I believe we will take common, Russia and Azerbaijan, efforts so that these relations, having a good basis, were developing dynamically.

In conclusion, the parties shared their views on a number of issues of mutual interest.

The head of President’s apparatus Ramiz Mehtiyev, Russian Ambassador in Baku Nikolay Ryabov were present at the meeting.