Azerbaijan, Russia forge ahead with robust economic, humanitarian cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation was held in Baku on August 9.

The meeting was co-chaired by Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, with participation from leaders and authorized representatives of the relevant government agencies from both countries, the Cabinet of Ministers told Caliber.Az.

During the discussions, the sides hailed the comprehensive development of Azerbaijan-Russia relations, which are rooted in long-standing traditions of friendship and good neighborliness. It was noted that thanks to the political will and trusting relationship between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia, interstate ties are progressively strengthening within the spirit of strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The meeting emphasized that this multifaceted strategic partnership is supported by a robust legal framework comprising over 260 signed agreements. A significant highlight is the Declaration on Allied Interaction, which was signed on February 22, 2022.

Russia ranks as Azerbaijan's third-largest trading partner and is the top partner in terms of non-oil exports. It was reported that in 2023, trade turnover increased by 17.5 per cent, reaching a record nearly $4.4 billion. Additionally, trade in the first half of the year has shown dynamic growth.

The parties expressed satisfaction with the positive trend in investment cooperation. It was emphasized that Russian businesses are significantly represented across various sectors of the Azerbaijani economy, and the Azerbaijani government is committed to creating an enabling environment for Russian investors.

The parties acknowledged the progressive development of industrial cooperation, highlighting successful outcomes in collaborative projects related to the joint production of pharmaceuticals, assembly of trucks, and provision of service support for freight vehicles and agricultural machinery at various industrial sites in Azerbaijan. They also viewed the prospects for cooperation in several areas of shipbuilding positively.

Azerbaijani companies are also actively investing in the Russian economy. Successful projects have been implemented in Russian regions, including the construction of health and tourism centers, hotel complexes, and factories for producing canned fruits and vegetables, as well as tea.

The dynamic of agricultural cooperation was pointed out, as Azerbaijan ranks among the top ten suppliers of agricultural products to Russia. In 2023, exports of fruits and vegetables to Russia increased by nearly 9 per cent.

Both sides underlined the importance of developing cooperation in the transport and transit sector. Last year, the total volume of bilateral freight traffic between the two countries grew by over 10 per cent. A positive trend has continued into the current year, with a 3 per cent increase in the first half.

The parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continue collaborative efforts in response to the directives from the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia regarding the development of the international transport corridor "North-South." It was noted that this initiative aligns with their joint efforts to enhance both road and rail infrastructure and to improve border checkpoints.

In this context, the importance of the roadmap for the development of checkpoints on the Russian-Azerbaijani border was highlighted. The oil and gas sector was identified as a key area of bilateral cooperation.

In the tourism sector, Russia continues to be the leading source of visitors to Azerbaijan. Over the past year, more than 630,000 Russian tourists visited Azerbaijan. In the first half of 2024 alone, the number reached 360,000, reflecting a 20 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Furthermore, it was noted that humanitarian cooperation traditionally remains a central pillar of Azerbaijan-Russia relations. In Azerbaijan, there are 324 schools that offer instruction in the Russian language, with approximately 800,000 students learning Russian as a second foreign language.

It was also noted that humanitarian cooperation continues to be a key aspect of Azerbaijan-Russia relations. In Azerbaijan, there are 324 schools that offer instruction in Russian, where approximately 800,000 students learn Russian as a second foreign language.

Additionally, branches of Lomonosov Moscow State University and Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University operate successfully in the country, providing students with the opportunity to receive high-quality education in Russian.

The parties welcomed the strengthening of cultural, scientific, and youth exchanges. In June, Azerbaijan successfully hosted the Days of Russian Culture.

It was emphasized that interregional cooperation is an important component of bilateral relations, which is highly valued at the highest levels in both countries.

In this context, both parties highly evaluated the role of the Azerbaijan-Russia Interregional Forum, which has proven to be an effective platform for comprehensive interaction. The 12th forum was successfully held in February in the Stavropol Krai.

Regular high-level reciprocal visits are taking place between the regions of Azerbaijan and various subjects of the Russian Federation.

The parties also discussed the prospects for developing bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest and expressed a shared commitment to continue constructive dialogue across the full spectrum of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Following the meeting, Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk signed a protocol for the 22nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation.