'Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan have different elements'

Russia stands on the position of recognition and respect for Azerbaijan, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin told reporters on Thursday.

"The visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Azerbaijan was a special one, since it was timed to the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. This is a historic moment, and by this visit both the minister and Russia wanted to emphasize that we are on the position of recognition and respect for Azerbaijan as an independent state and that formula of relations that we could develop over the years works for the benefit of both countries and peoples," he said.

"The visit was a powerful and positive political signal that we can be satisfied with the way we came out of the political collapse, I mean Soviet Union's collapse," said the Ambassador.

During his visit Lavrov met with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, the Prime Minister and held meetings in the parliament. The sides discussed the agenda of bilateral relations, in what areas it's necessary to move quickly, in what to look for a solution.

Dorokhin said there is a normal dialogue between the two countries. Now Azerbaijan is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and it's necessary to discuss with it great questions of world politics, as part of what Syria, Iran and other issues were discussed.

The ambassador praised the atmosphere of the visit of Lavrov to Azerbaijan, noting that mutual understanding which exists between the two countries traditionally manifested itself.

"This is a good stage in our relations, a good sign," he said.

Dorokhin said that feature of the visit of Foreign Minister of Russia to Azerbaijan was meetings with the young people of Azerbaijan.

"Russia is a mediator in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We have a great interest in how the mediation of Russia in this matter will continue. The foreign minister noted Russia's position which is committed to help the parties find a solution and we will continue mediation efforts till they are needed by the parties," said the Ambassador.

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The visit of the head of the Russian Federation Council will positively affect relations between the two countries, Russia's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin told reporters on Thursday.

"Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan have different elements, among them culture, economy and parliamentary cooperation. In parliamentary cooperation they have their own mechanisms for cooperation, commissions. Parliamentarians are also looking for a possibility to contribute to the development of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan," he said.

He noted that representatives of the two countries meet in different formats, and one of these formats is a visit of chairman of Federation Council of Russia Valentina Matviyenko.

"The fact that Chairman of the Russian Council of Federation Valentina Matviyenko pays her first foreign visit to Azerbaijan will be properly understood and appreciated here. This visit will positively affect relations between the two countries," the Russian diplomat said.

Head of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan on April 8-9, the Azerbaijani Parliament told Trend.

Matvienko plans to meet with the leadership of the country and the Parliament. She also plans to visit the Baku Slavic University.


/Trend/