Russian and Azerbaijani experts present joint report

The history section of Moscow State University has held a round-table discussion on Russian-Azerbaijani ties on the modern stage and their problems and prospects. Alexey Vlasov, Deputy Dean of the History Faculty, presented the basic provisions of the document. A resolution was passed after discussions.
Participants of the meeting say that bilateral ties have reached a new level, characterized by more intense cooperation in trade-economic and security spheres, Caspian dialogue and education. Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation may become an example of a mutually beneficial and fair one.
In the trade-economic sphere the document proposes signing of an agreement on investment protection, improvement of customs services via information technologies and electronics, complex development of transport communication and cooperation in agriculture.
In energy: combining efforts to establish terminals for liquefied gas on the Black Sea coast, increase of shipments of oil and petrochemical products.
In education and information cooperation: activation of contacts of research centers, formation of new media platforms, including the Caspian and Asian media forums, exchange of journalists, student and pupil exchanges, introduction of studies of regional integration to related sections at education centers, studies of the Azerbaijani language, development of tourism and formation of tourism clusters.
In innovative projects: development of high-tech centers in Skolkovo and the Azerbaijani Regional Innovative Zone, formation of new cooperation programs of Academies of Sciences, establishment of an international center for the Caspian Sea in Baku, activation of cooperation within the Trans-Eurasian Superhighway.

In security: establishment of a Single Operative Center for Reaction and Information Monitoring of the Caspian for the Ministry of Emergency and the navy of the Caspian states, expert cooperation in studies of the use of the Gabala radar after 2012.

Realization of the modernization project will be possible by improving the quality of mutual investments, reduction of expenses for raw materials. More cooperation of inter-department and inter-spherical communication between the two states is needed. The main goal is search for new reserves for growth and proper setting of priorities. Another goal is support for business by establishing the Council of Investors and an inter-state development bank free of taxes and capable of financing complex infrastructure projects.

The third goal is removal of barriers for trade of goods and services. This will allow national economic of Russia and Azerbaijan be more competitive and stronger.