Putin’s official visit over

Russian president Vladimir Putin visited the Alley of Martyrs this morning to pay tribute to those who have perished for the national independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Mr. Putin then met with the parliament speaker Murtuz Alasgarov and then addressed an extraordinary session of the Milli Mejlis. Before giving the floor to the Russian President, speaker Akasgarov said, “We hold out great hopes for a more active role of Russia in the Garabagh peace settlement and hope that your visit will give the much-needed boost in the solution of the problem.”

Vladimir Putin congratulated MPs on being elected to the parliament, said he views his visit to Azerbaijan and negotiations with the Azerbaijan government as an important step toward a new stage in bilateral relations, which will be based on constructive partnership and collaboration.

“During the talks with Mr. Aliyev, we have tried to focus not only on outstanding problems, but also to direct our dialog to deepening comprehensive cooperation. And the Baku Declaration is clear proof of this”, Mr. Putin said.

The Russian President thinks the new stage in bilateral relations must be characterized with a higher level of, first of all, economic relations, expanding turnover and developing cooperation in various economic sectors.

Russo-Azeri trade turnover last year constituted just $300 million, which obviously does not meet our interests and potential, he said. Although Russia is the first among Azerbaijan’s partners, the level of our contacts leaves much to be desired. In this, the parliaments of both countries need to play a greater role, he said.

With the aid of new legal acts, we could eliminate the existing customs barriers and created favorable environment for economic enterprises in both countries, Mr. Putin said.

Russia is ready for a close cooperation with Azerbaijan in the entire spectrum of the fuel and energy complex, participation in the development of fields, acquisition of hydrocarbons for domestic consumption and implementation of exports by providing its transport network, including pipelines. The issue of natural gas supplies to Azerbaijan has tremendous prospects, the Russian president said.

Mr. Putin also spoke in favor of developing bilateral military contacts. This cooperation is also in the best interests of the two countries and is not directed against any other country, he said. There have been some positive changes in military cooperation and we will continue to work in this direction. It is also necessary to develop the legal framework of our relations and conclude an agreement on the status of Russian citizens permanently residing in Azerbaijan and the status of Azerbaijan citizens residing in Moscow, Mr. Putin added.

He then told MPs that he had invited Heydar Aliyev to visit Russia and that the invitation had been accepted.

Russian President was also scheduled to meet with Azeri refugees settled in Baku and visit the University of Slavic languages, but the meetings were called off. Rector of the Slavic Languages University Kamal Abdullayev forwarded the Russian President the diploma of an honorary doctor of the school at Mr. Putin’s Baku residency.

On Wednesday, Russian and Azeri Presidents met face-to-face again at Heydar Aliyev’s residency in Zagulba. After the meeting, at 4 p.m., the Russian President left for Moscow. Before departure, he made a statement for press, saying he was very pleased with the visit results, described all the meetings as fruitful and voiced his confidence that the visit would upon up a new era in Russo-Azeri relations. Asked whether Russia would step up its efforts toward the Garabagh conflict settlement this year, the Russian president said solution of the conflict, first of all, depends on the parties to the conflict proper, while Russia will do its utmost for a lasting solution to the dispute.*