Azerbaijan is marking the Day of the Republic. The Azerbaijani Democratic Republic was founded on May 28, 1918. The day became a holiday in 1990. Dmitry Savelyev, a member of the Russian State Duma, the head of the Russian-Azerbaijani inter-party group, described the prospects for Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation.
- What is your evaluation of the cooperation prospects of Russia and Azerbaijan in the economic sphere?
Our delegations have visited Azerbaijan many times and we plan to visit it again in the near future. In other words, the interparliamentary relations of Russia and Azerbaijan are developing intensively. We see how dynamically the country develops, how unique the city of Baku is. Azerbaijan is one of the many countries in post-Soviet space that has taken such a gigantic step in its development after the collapse of the Union. The fuel and energy sector of the country is quite advanced, and we are actively cooperating in this aspect. I would like to remind that the first oil specialists that appeared in Russia, in the Russian Empire that is, were from Baku. The first oil was discovered there and that is essentially where specialists were trained to search, drill and extract oil on Soviet territory.
We can see how important the region is for Russia in military terms, in the context of the geopolitical situation. Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Armenia are a region of geopolitical importance for Russia. We hope for further development of relations and we will put all efforts into the rapprochement of the two countries.
- What is your vision of cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan in education, the humanitarian sector?
- Azerbaijan is one of the few countries in post-Soviet space that cultivates the Russian language on its territory. It is a country with the highest number of Russian schools on its territory. It organizes regular Russian Cultural Festivals, involving poetry and completely different fields of art. You feel it when you visit it.
The attitude of the Azerbaijanis to Russians, the Russian language, Russian culture, Russian art is unique. It is a governmental policy, it is a state policy, this is important. Few post-Soviet states treat Russians, the Russian language, the Russian culture the same way.
Many Azerbaijanis study and graduate at Russian higher education centers. The MSU, key education centers of the country are popular among Azerbaijani students. We enrich each other in education and art. Azerbaijan has regular festivals, Azerbaijani artists visit us. It is a very old culture, so it has something to show and be fascinated by.
- What is your vision of cooperation between Azerbaijan and integration organizations in post-Soviet space?
- Azerbaijan has a balanced policy in joining interstate associations. But we have a common linguistic environment, similar cultures, brotherly relations. After the collapse of the Union, they built monuments to Yesenin, Pushkin. Rapprochement on the cultural level, rapprochement on the economic level happens in all aspects. Indeed, it is a brotherly nation, a brotherly state, and we hope only for improvement of relations and rapprochement of our states.
- What is your forecast for development of the situation in the Caspian Region?
- The position of Iran in relations with Azerbaijan remains complicated. Partition of the Caspian cannot happen. Iran has its own position. It remains a strong player in geopolitical and military terms, trying to impose its demands. But I believe that, with the participation of Russia, the issue will be resolved beneficially for Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
