/By Azernews/

By Nazrin Gadimova

Baku and Moscow have reiterated their firm stands to develop and deepen the long-term strategic relations in numerous fields.

The multi-vector relations between the two neighbor countries were mulled in Baku, as Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev paid an official visit to the country, where he met the Azerbaijani leadership.

The sides took the opportunity to discuss issues such as the relations in trade, economic, energy, transportation and humanitarian spheres and potential in energy and transportation spheres.

President Ilham Aliyev, addressing the meeting with Medvedev, highlighted the traditional cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan in humanitarian sphere that has very good prospects and good results.

“We have very good dynamics in many areas. Although the trade turnover has a little bit fallen because of objective reasons, there is a potential for increase and cooperation in trade, economic, energy and transport areas,” the president said.

Trade turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan in late 2014 exceeded $4 billion and reached its historical maximum. This figure amounted to $ 2.3 billion in January-October 2015, which is 30 percent less than in the same period of 2014, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee.

Being long-time partners, Russia and Azerbaijan are keen to continue developing multilateral cooperation in the future. The all-around strengthening of cooperation with Russia has been and remains one of the main priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy.

Medvedev, in turn, emphasized that there is a huge variety of relations where the two sides enjoy a very advanced cooperation and strategic partnership.

Medvedev went on to add that Azerbaijan and Russia have the opportunity to make additional efforts for the economies of the two countries to function more in line with one another, for good effect.

“Although it’s literally a few percent, as the decline has mainly occurred because of the pricing indicators caused by the change of exchange of goods which we supply to each other, prices for goods that we supply. However, this means that an array of projects should be revitalized. So now let’s talk about this as well as humanitarian issues,” he said.

However, this shows that a number of projects can be revived, according to Medvedev.

The sides noted the importance of implementation of joint projects, and highlighted the similarities between both countries` economies, pointing to necessity of diversifying the economy to reduce the oil dependence.

The Russian PM then conveyed the best wishes of Vladimir Putin, adding that the head of Russia has invited President Aliyev to Moscow.

Nagorno-Karabakh issue

In Baku, Dmitry Medvedev also reminded the importance of resuming diplomatic efforts to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Medvedev, on a visit to Baku, said Russia was ready to continue to act as an intermediary in resolving the conflict and hoped a ceasefire agreement would hold.

Russia values its relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, he said voicing hope that they could resume their negotiations under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Moscow, as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, as a responsible state, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council is committed to the approaches within the framework of the UN procedures and other ones, he added.

Medvedev emphasized that the whole region would benefit with the settlement of the conflict and Russia considers itself part of this region.

During the talks, President Aliyev highlighted Russia’s role in de-escalation of the situation on the frontline.

The president further stressed that Azerbaijan is committed to the peaceful and political settlement of the conflict based on the international law and relevant decisions of the UN Security Council and other international organizations.

"Azerbaijan adheres to the negotiation process," Aliyev said, adding that resolving the conflict is in the interests of Azerbaijan, Armenia and also Russia, as a neighbor and friend of both countries.

“The change of the status quo and the beginning of de-occupation of Azerbaijani territories are the main conditions for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. As soon as this happens, there will be peace and cooperation in the region. This will benefit all countries in the region,” the President said.