Polad Bulbuloglu, the former Culture Minister, himself told the local television channel, Trend reports.

Bulbuloglu said that one of the priorities of his activities will be the resolution of problems of Azerbaijanis residing in Russia. "2006 will be a year of Russia in Azerbaijan. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Azerbaijan in February. I have a responsibility to represent Azerbaijan and the people of Azerbaijan," the diplomat stressed.

"Today many Diaspora organizations exist in different cities of Russia, while the interrelationships among them are very weak. My urgent task will be the consolidation of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in Russia," he stressed.

According to the Ambassador, over the past few years the level of bilateral relations has been high. A number of events were held and the tendency should be maintained.