Yevgeny Bazhanov: Russian Diplomatic Academy has long-standing ties with Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is Russia's strategic partner and friendly state, the rector of the Diplomatic Academy Yevgeny Bazhanov said during the visit of the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to the Diplomatic Academy. "Russia cooperates with Azerbaijan in all possible areas, including in the humanitarian field," he added, the correspondent of the Vestnik Kavkaza reported.

"The Diplomatic Academy has long-standing ties with Azerbaijan. When I studied at the Diplomatic Academy in 1979-1985,  Elmar Mamadyarov was one of the graduates. On January 25, 1991 Elmar Mammadyarov defended his thesis. 20 years have passed, but students read it in the library every day," Yevgeny Bazhanov said.

After the collapse of the USSR, the Diplomatic Academy continued its cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan. "Over the past few years, 44 representatives of Azerbaijan graduated, 20 students are studying now," the rector said.

It is not only cooperation in education which unites the university with Azerbaijan. "We publish books with representatives of the republic, hold scientific conferences, host Azerbaijani professors and send there delegations. Our historical ties are also very tight. Today, we counted that at least ten Diplomatic Academy employees are from Baku," Yevgeny Bazhanov said.

Elmar Mammadyarov said in response that it was his pleasure and honor to be in the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry once again.

Mammadyarov arrived in Russia on an official visit on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Azerbaijani-Russian diplomatic ties, which were established on April 4, 1992. On Monday, during the visit, he held the talks with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and attended the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the 25th anniversary of diplomatic contacts between the two countries.