Azerbaijan deepens economic partnerships at St. Petersburg forum PHOTO

Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Minister of Economy, Elnur Aliyev, held a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026, advancing discussions on trade, investment, industrial cooperation and regional partnership initiatives.

The meetings focused on deepening economic and commercial relations, expanding investment opportunities, strengthening industrial cooperation, and fostering closer interregional collaboration with key partners, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During talks with Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Vladimir Ilyichev, the parties reviewed ongoing activities within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission and discussed prospects for further enhancing regional cooperation. Both sides underscored the importance of stimulating mutual investment, expanding bilateral trade, and implementing joint economic projects. As part of efforts to boost export cooperation, Azerbaijan also presented a list of products with export potential to the Russian side.

Aliyev’s meeting with Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Sezai Uçarmak, highlighted the continued expansion of economic cooperation between the two strategic partners. Discussions centered on increasing bilateral trade turnover, broadening collaboration in e-commerce, logistics and investment, strengthening business-to-business engagement, and advancing transport projects of mutual interest. The officials also explored opportunities for launching new joint initiatives.

In talks with Artur Parfenchikov, head of Russia’s Republic of Karelia, the parties examined prospects for expanding economic and trade relations, enhancing industrial cooperation, and strengthening ties between national and cultural organizations. Both sides emphasized that humanitarian and cultural exchanges complement economic engagement and play an important role in reinforcing interregional partnerships.

Aliyev also met with Igor Babushkin, Governor of the Astrakhan Region, to discuss avenues for expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and the strategically important Caspian region. The talks focused on improving transport and logistics connectivity, promoting economic cooperation across the Caspian basin, increasing trade volumes, and encouraging closer interaction between business communities.

Further discussions were held with Sergey Ponomarenko, First Deputy Governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai and Head of the Governor’s Administration. The meeting addressed opportunities to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, promote industrial collaboration, attract investment, and deepen interregional ties. The parties exchanged views on practical mechanisms and policy tools aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of future cooperation.

By Vafa Guliyeva