Azerbaijan, Russia discuss ways to avoid further mutual blocking of media sources

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have discussed ways to avoid further mutual blocking of media sources.

The issue was discussed during Lavrov's visit to Azerbaijan on June 24, Report quotes Bayramov as saying at a joint news conference with Lavrov in Baku.

"In recent months, there have been problematic issues on a number of facts. Several private Azerbaijani media resources have been blocked in Russia, and this month RIA Novosti was also blocked in Azerbaijan. This is a topic that naturally worries us, and it was also touched upon during today's meetings. The main emphasis was placed on the fact that we should work out mechanisms that would stimulate the prevention of such cases more than the elimination of consequences. It seems to us more productive to try to prevent them. From this point of view, it is useful to hold round tables," Bayramov said.

 In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that this topic was discussed during his meetings in Baku.

"There is a common understanding that on the basis of respect for each other's laws and the principles of freedom of information based on these laws, we will hold a special series of events between the heads of the leading media of both sides. There is agreement that we will organise such consultations under the auspices of the information services of the [Azerbaijani and Russian] foreign ministries," Lavrov said.