Russia-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum was held in Stavropol

VIII Russia-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum on “Investments, innovations and tourism” was held in Stavropol on September 28. A large delegation of 120 people led by the minister Shahin Mustafayev attended in the forum organized by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia. Round tables on cooperation in the fields of industry and humanity, development of tourism, innovations in the field of health and other topics were established, exchange of business relations was held and documents on bilateral cooperation were signed in the forum. Congratulation letters of Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin, Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia to the participants of the event, were read in the beginning of the forum. It was noted in the congratulation letter of Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan that the meeting of officers, businessmen and experts of both countries bring held every year, has already become a good tradition. Such events have turned into a prestigious place where important issues are discussed. It is remarkable that the priority directions of cooperation from trade-economic relations to humanitarian are at the center of attention of forum participants. Underlining that the main aspects of mutual activity were discussed, contracts and agreements were concluded, business projects were initiated and relations were established for future initiatives, President Ilham Aliyev noted that all of these would make a great contribution to the deepening of constructive dialogue between our countries and give impetus to Azerbaijani-Russian relations. The Head of our State expressed his confidence that the new ideas and joint projects that will arise during this meeting will be another step towards the strengthening of mutual understanding and trust between Azerbaijan and Russia. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia noted in his address to the event participants that the forum played an important role in the development of strategic cooperation between Moscow and Baku, and helped to effectively implement the potential of bilateral cooperation. The President of Russia expressed his confidence that open and constructive discussions would be applied in practice. Highlighting the participation of more than 400 representatives representing both sides in the forum, Vladimir Vladimirov, the Governor of Stavropol krai, said that the commodity turnover between Stavropol and Azerbaijan is 130 million dollars annually. The governor invited Azerbaijani companies to actively cooperate with resort towns in the krai. Emphasizing the activity of Azerbaijani Diaspora in Russia in his speech, Polad Bulbuloghlu, the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia said that the suspension of the All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress (AAC) was a disappointment. The ambassador highlighted the importance of governmental support to the activity of Diaspora organizations and said he was hopeful that the activity of AAC would be rebuilt soon. Noting the level of economic relations between the two countries, Maksim Oreshkin, the Minister of Economic Development of Russia said: “8 regions of Russia actively cooperate with Azerbaijan and 650 joint ventures operate here. We are developing our cooperation with Azerbaijan in the fields of pharmaceutics and tourism. 500 million dollars have been invested in our joint projects. These projects are also implemented in third countries.” Shahin Mustafayev, the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, thanked to Vladimir Vladimirov, the Governor of Stavropol krai for high level organization of the forum. Speaking about the dynamics of bilateral cooperative relations, the minister said that more than 200 contracts in the field of economy were signed between the two countries. 70 companies of Russia operating in Azerbaijan have invested 3 billion dollars in our country. Azerbaijani companies at the same time have put investment in the amount of 1 billion dollar in the economy of Russia. General director of the Russian Export Center, and head of Russia-Azerbaijan Business Council Mikhail Fradkov, head of Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation Rufat Mammadov, head of Gabala Region Executive Power Sabuhi Abdullayev, head of Narimanov district Executive Power Abdin Farzaliyev and the others have made a speech in the meeting. Documents on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia were signed at the end of the meeting.