The strategic partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan is developing very successfully, the trade turnover between the two countries can serve as proof of that. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed this opinion on Friday at a meeting with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev in Sochi.
"Next year we mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. And this is certainly such a milestone, which we will probably have to celebrate in some appropriate way," he believes.
The President of the Russian Federation noticed that the strategic partnership between the two countries "is developing quite successfully". "Despite all the pandemic issues and limitations in the economy, this year <...> the trade volume has increased by 11%. And it is a good indicator," said Putin.
He drew attention to the fact that there are about 900 Russian companies working in this country. And in general Russia is one of the leading trade and economic partners of Azerbaijan, the Russian leader said.
Russian language learning
About 34% of children in Azerbaijani schools study in Russian, which shows the desire of these people to maintain close contacts with Russia, Putin said.
"I want to thank you for the attention you pay to the development of the Russian language, to maintaining it," the Russian head of state said, addressing his counterpart.
Putin noted that Russian is taught in more than 300 Azerbaijani schools. "34% of Azerbaijani schoolchildren study the Russian language in one way or another. This is a good indicator that speaks of the desire of the leadership of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people to maintain close and versatile contacts," the Russian President is sure.
He said relations between the two countries were developing in the humanitarian sphere, including through youth contacts. "All this creates a good atmosphere for the development of relations in the future," Putin believes.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS