Azerbaijan, Russia hold another round of political consultations UPDATE

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has announced that another round of consultations on regional and European security issues was held between the Azerbaijani and Russian foreign ministries in Baku on December 21.

Consultations were held between Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, Caliber.Az reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s message.

The sides exchanged views on regional and international security issues, discussed cooperation issues within the regional cooperation formats in which both countries participate, as well as topics on the agenda of European regional organisations and of mutual interest.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko held inter-ministerial consultations on regional and European security issues with Azerbaijani counterpart Araz Azimov in Baku on December 21-22.

“Grushko was also received by Assistant of the Azerbaijani President, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev. Meetings were held with a Representative of the Azerbaijani President on Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov and Chairman of the International and Interparliamentary Relations Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament Samad Seyidov,” according to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s message.

“The sides exchanged views on the current situation in Transcaucasia and European security, including interaction in the OSCE, the situation in the Council of Europe, relations of Azerbaijan, Russia with the EU and NATO. Current issues on the bilateral and international agenda were also touched upon. The leading role and special responsibility of the regional countries in maintaining stability and security in the South Caucasus was emphasised. Both sides confirmed their commitment to maintaining a close dialogue on regional and European security issues,” the message said.