Russia, Azerbaijan to continue developing strategic partnership - Putin

MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. "I am confident that by joining forces we will continue to develop the strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan," he wrote in a note of congratulations posted on the Kremlin’s website on Tuesday. "This meets the fundamental interests of our countries' citizens and is in line with efforts aimed at strengthening peace, security and stability in the South Caucasus and beyond." Putin noted that over the past years, the two countries have been able to preserve and develop the relationship based on "friendship and mutual respect that have traditionally linked the peoples of Russia and Azerbaijan." "We have established a substantive political dialogue, active inter-parliamentary and inter-regional cooperation. The two countries are expanding trade, economic, investment, scientific, technological and humanitarian ties, contacts between civil society institutions," the Russian president stressed, adding that Moscow and Baku coordinate efforts to resolve pressing regional and global issues and cooperate in international agencies. The Russian leader wished Aliyev good health and success and Azerbaijan’s citizens - well-being and prosperity. Read more