The unifying spirit of the programmes of the Year of Azerbaijan in Russia should significantly widen bilateral contacts in the humanitarian sphere and strengthen strategic partnership, said Vladimir Putin at an evening ceremony dedicated to the opening of the Year of Azerbaijan in Russia.
During previous talks, the Russian President noted the positive dynamic of bilateral economic cooperation. In 2004 trade turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan increased by 50% and almost reached the $1 billion mark.
The investment component of bilateral cooperation is actively developing, and many Russian companies have plans to invest in Azerbaijan’s economy.
Russian-Azerbaijani partnership is an important factor of regional stability. Both countries are equally interested in more active use of the resources of the CIS for solving such tasks as resisting threats to national security, terrorism and extremism.