Integration processes in Caspian discussed at Astrakhan forum

Russia and Azerbaijan are inter-dependent in development of integration processes in the Caspian region, Sergey Vinokurov, head of the Russian president’s section for interregional and cultural ties with foreign states, said at the Second Russian-Azerbaijani Interregional Forum in Astrakhan, Trend reports.

One of the most prospect forms of cooperation of Caspian states may be economic cooperation, as it was noted at the Caspian summit in Baku, Vinokurov said. The political dialogue between Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Ilham Aliyev allows rapprochement of Russia and Azerbaijan on certain positions in the region.

Vinokurov stressed on economic cooperation, saying that trade turnover between the two states reached $1.9 billion in 2010 and is close to $2 billion. There are over 500 Russian companies in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani businessmen are investing in Russian industry.

Vinokurov mentioned humanitarian cooperation. He said that Baku hosted the Russian-Azerbaijani public forum for humanitarian issues. The second forum will be held in September 2011.