Azerbaijani, Russian PMs discuss strategic partnership

The Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers has announced that Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov had a phone talk with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

The prime ministers addressed pressing issues related to the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia, discussing prospects for enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

The sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continuing active collaboration on all issues within the bilateral agenda.

Russia ranks as Azerbaijan's third-largest trading partner and is the top partner in terms of non-oil exports. Trade turnover increased by 17.5 per cent in 2023, reaching a record nearly $4.4 billion. 

The trade in the first half of the year has shown dynamic growth. 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. 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 centres, hotel complexes, and factories for producing canned fruits and vegetables, as well as tea. 

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. 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 three per cent increase in the first half. 

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, the number reached 360,000, reflecting a 20 per cent increase compared to the same period of last year. Humanitarian cooperation continues to be a key aspect of the Azerbaijan-Russia relations. 

There are 324 schools in Azerbaijan offering education in the Russian language, where approximately 800,000 pupils learn Russian as a second foreign language. 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. 

Interregional cooperation is an important component of bilateral relations, which is highly valued at the highest levels in both countries. Regular high-level reciprocal visits are made by representatives of the Azerbaijani districts and various subjects of the Russian Federation.

By Naila Huseynova