Overchuk: Russia, Azerbaijan must restore momentum in economic ties

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk has called for renewed efforts to restore momentum in trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan, urging both governments and businesses to strengthen engagement following a period of slowdown.

Speaking at a meeting of the Azerbaijan–Russia Business Council in Baku, Overchuk said it was “extremely important” to return bilateral economic relations to their “desired trajectory”, noting that recent tragic events had contributed to a temporary deceleration in ties, local media reports.

He referred to discussions with Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, saying both sides acknowledged that the AZAL aircraft crash around a year and a half ago had affected the pace of cooperation. He stressed, however, that political and economic contacts between the two countries had remained continuous throughout the period.

“We have maintained close contact and have been encouraging everyone to ensure that relations continue to develop,” Overchuk said, adding that Russia and Azerbaijan, as close neighbours, should have “no doubt” about the strength and resilience of their ties.

The Russian deputy prime minister urged businesses on both sides to take advantage of new opportunities, pointing to investment initiatives in Azerbaijan and the role of Russia’s special economic zones in supporting industrial cooperation.

He said cooperation between transport ministries and Russian Railways was progressing constructively, particularly on the development of the International North–South Transport Corridor, designed to facilitate more efficient freight movement across the region.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that a large number of modern international airports have been built in Azerbaijan.

“Yesterday (at a meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia intergovernmental commission), we discussed expanding the geography of flights so that residents of as many Russian cities as possible can fly directly to Azerbaijan, with minimal costs and inconvenience,” Overchuk noted.

Moreover, he said there is a need in Russia to promote the study of the Azerbaijani language.

“We are aware of how carefully the Russian language is treated in Azerbaijan — it is taught in schools. We also see an interest in strengthening ties between our universities. Yesterday, the issue of creating a new Russian–Azerbaijani university in cooperation with St Petersburg State University was discussed.”

He also referred to efforts to expand the promotion of the Russian language.

At the same time, Overchuk noted that there is also a need in Russia to study the Azerbaijani language, adding that Moscow would support such initiatives. He further said Azerbaijan has been invited to consider joining the International Organisation for the Russian Language.

By Aghakazim Guliyev