ECONOMY
RUSSIAN MANUFACTURERS STRIVE FOR ENTERING CAUCASIAN AND CENTRAL ASIAN MARKETS
Both regions are traditional outlets for St. Petersburg enterprises, manager for international marketing Victoria Kozlova told AzerTAj correspondent. The long-standing links, similar way of life, the single system of industrial standards and certification facilitate the Russian manufacturers’ entry to these markets. The visits by President of Russia Vlamidir Putin to Baku in 2001 and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Moscow gave a new impetus to development of economic cooperation between the two countries. The agreement on long-term economic cooperation until 2010 signed in 2002 between the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan played an important role in this process. 6 February 2004 Moscow Declaration set great tasks for them. Arraignments prepared in line with the agreement and program on long-term economic cooperation already bring fruits. The Azerbaijan-Russia Economic forum entitled “Azerbaijan-Russia Trade-Economic Relations: tendencies of development and perspectives” was focused on these issues. However, many existing problems need to be tackled. For example, there is a necessity to simplify the customs rules, strengthen legislation and create favorable conditions for trade-economic relations.