2024-08-12 20:20:26
On August 9, the 22nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation was held in Baku, Day.Az reported on Friday with reference to the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
The meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Azerbaijani part of the commission Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Russian part of the commission Alexey Overchuk, was also attended by heads and authorized representatives of the relevant government agencies of the two countries.
During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the comprehensive development of Azerbaijani-Russian relations, based on centuries-old traditions of friendship and good neighborliness.
It was noted that thanks to the political will and trusting relations between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia, interstate relations are now being progressively strengthened in the spirit of strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation.
It was also emphasized that the multifaceted strategic partnership is secured by a solid contractual and legal framework, which includes more than 260 signed documents.
The Declaration on Allied Interaction, signed on February 22, 2022, occupies a special place.
Russia is Azerbaijan’s third largest trading partner and first in terms of non-oil exports. It is noted that in 2023, trade turnover increased by 17.5%, reaching a record high of almost 4.4 billion US dollars. Also in the first half of this year, trade turnover shows dynamic growth.
The parties noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of growth of investment cooperation. It was emphasized that Russian business is widely represented in many sectors of the Azerbaijani economy. The Azerbaijani government creates all conditions for comfortable work of Russian investors.
The parties noted the progressive development of industrial cooperation, noting the successful results of cooperation in the field of joint production of medicines, assembly of trucks, provision of services for trucks and agricultural machinery at various industrial sites in Azerbaijan. The prospects for cooperation in a number of areas of shipbuilding were assessed positively.
Azerbaijani companies are also actively investing in the Russian economy. In the regions of Russia, projects have been successfully implemented to build health resorts and tourist centers, hotel complexes, factories for the production of canned fruits and vegetables and tea.
Satisfaction was expressed with the dynamics of cooperation in the field of agriculture. Azerbaijan is among the top ten suppliers of agricultural products to Russia. In 2023, fruit and vegetable exports to Russia increased by almost 9%.
It was noted that both sides attach particular importance to the development of cooperation in the transport and transit sector. Last year, the total volume of bilateral cargo transportation between the two countries increased by more than 10%. A positive trend is also observed this year – in the first half of the year, growth was 3%.
The parties confirmed their mutual readiness to continue joint work in fulfillment of the instructions of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia on the development of the North-South international transport corridor.
It was noted that this work is in unison with the joint efforts of the parties to improve road and rail infrastructure and develop checkpoints across the state border.
In this regard, the importance of the Roadmap for the development of checkpoints across the Azerbaijani-Russian state border was noted.
The oil and gas sector was described as one of the important areas of bilateral cooperation.
Also in the tourism sector, Russia occupies a leading position in the number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan. Last year, more than 630 thousand Russian tourists visited our country, and in the first six months of 2024 – 360 thousand tourists, which is 20% more compared to the same period last year.
It was also noted that humanitarian cooperation traditionally remains a key vector of Azerbaijani-Russian relations.
There are 324 schools in the Republic of Azerbaijan with instruction in Russian, in which 800 thousand schoolchildren study Russian as a second foreign language.
Branches of the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University also operate successfully in the country, providing students with the opportunity to receive high-quality education in Russian.
The parties welcomed the intensification of cultural, scientific and youth exchanges. In June, the Days of Russian Culture were held in Azerbaijan with great success.
It was emphasized that an important component of bilateral relations is interregional cooperation, which is given great importance at the highest level in both countries.
In this regard, the parties highly appreciated the role of the Azerbaijan-Russia Interregional Forum, which has proven itself as an effective platform for comprehensive cooperation. The 12th forum was successfully held in Stavropol Krai in February.
Mutual high-level visits are carried out on a regular basis between the regions of Azerbaijan and the subjects of the Russian Federation.
The parties also discussed prospects for the development of bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest and expressed mutual readiness to continue constructive dialogue on the entire range of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk signed the Protocol of the 22nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation.
Subscribe to our WhatsApp channel and stay up to date with the latest news!