Russia appoints new co-chair of inter-governmental commission

Russian government has appointed a new co-chairman of the Azeri-Russian inter-governmental economic commission - vice-premier Viktor Khristenko, who is replacing in this position Russia's energy minister Alexander Gavrin.

According to a Cabinet source, Mr. Khristenko has appointed on recommendation of the Azerbaijan party, which believes the commission should be headed by vice-premiers of the two countries for it to work more effectively. On behalf of Azerbaijan, the commission is co-chaired by vice-premier Abbas Abbasov.*