3rd Azerbaijani-Russian forum is crucial for bilateral cooperation - Russian official

The third Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forum "Russian-Azerbaijani Dialogue 2012" was opened in Baku today, Trend reports.

The forum has been organized by the "Eurasian Research Institute" Development Fund with the support of the Azerbaijani and Russian Presidential Administrations.

Representatives of Russian central and regional bodies, large, medium-scale and small business and Russian and Azerbaijani NGOs attended the forum.

Representative of the Russian presidential staff Vladimir Chernov said that the forum is crucially important for regional and international cooperation.

Chernov also said that he values Russian-Azerbaijani relations.

Regularly holding the Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forum is the political will of the Azerbaijani and Russian presidents Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin, who are interested in intensifying partnership and expanding cooperation between the two countries, the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration head Ramiz Mehdiyev said at the opening ceremony today.

"This forum is making an invaluable contribution to the development of these relations," he added. "This effective platform gives an opportunity to discuss urgent issues, to determine the prospects of cooperation and the ways to solve the problems."

"This year is significant, as Russia and Azerbaijan are celebrating the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations," Mehdiyev added.

"We have approached this point having made significant achievements," Mehdiyev noted.

"Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev laid the foundation for strategic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan," Mehdiyev said. "Russian President Vladimir Putin taking office in 2000 also had a positive effect on the stability of good-neighbourly relations between the two countries, which continue to develop today."

"Today, Azerbaijan and Russia are strategic partners," he said. "We have found mutually-beneficial solutions to many issues. This also refers to the Samur River and the border issue. The process on the status of the Caspian Sea between Baku, Moscow and Astana has almost been completed. The two countries have a high level of cooperation within international organizations, such as the OSCE, the UN and others."

"We are grateful to Russia for its active support in electing Azerbaijan to the UN Security Council," Mehdiyev said.