Today Baku hosted a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in which the Russian president said that Russia is interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijani entrepreneurs, including in the food market.
"I share your assessment about the level and nature of our intergovernmental relations. I note that, in spite of all the turbulence in the economy, the trade turnover between our countries is growing," Putin says.
He also said that the trade turnover between the two countries increased by more than 12 percent, and for the first quarter of this year grew by nearly 6%. "This suggests that Azerbaijani entrepreneurs are using the situation that is emerging in our markets, including those in the food market. And I want to emphasize that we are very happy," RIA Novosti quotes Putin as saying.
In addition, he added "more than that, if this cooperation will expand, and will be even better, we are interested in it." The head of the Russian state pointed out that Moscow and Baku are making great efforts to ensure diversification of bilateral relations, and said that "there are all the prerequisites."
At the beginning of the meeting, the Russian President congratulated his Azerbaijani counterpart on the opening of the first European Games in Baku. The opening ceremony of the Games, Putin said, was "an impressive spectacle, talented and beautiful." "Those who engaged in the preparations for this holiday were not working in vain,’’ Putin said.
