Russian MFA: Azerbaijan - important partner, ally of Russia in South Caucasus, Caspian region

Azerbaijan is an important partner and ally of Russia in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region, according to the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry on the occasion of the official visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Azerbaijan.

“Relations between our countries are dynamically developing in the spirit of long-standing traditions of friendship and good neighborliness. Everyday joint work is built on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said, Report informs.

One of Russia’s foreign policy priorities is to promote the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia in accordance with the tripartite agreements at the highest level of November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021, as well as October 31, 2022: “We are considering their implementation as a key condition for ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus, restoring confidence and full cooperation between Baku and Yerevan.”

“The most important direction of Russian efforts is the unblocking of transport communications in the region. Together with the Azerbaijani and Armenian partners, within the Trilateral Working Group, co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers, we are working towards agreeing on a package of specific infrastructure projects that will allow us to establish rail and road communications and stimulate the resumption of economic ties.

We stand for the continuation of the work of the bilateral Commission on the delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border. The launch of the delimitation process is intended to contribute to the cessation of border incidents between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Russia will provide the necessary advisory assistance at the request of the parties,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The statement also notes that the preparation of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia is designed to consolidate the basic principles of relations, lay the foundations for mutually beneficial cooperation in the long term: “Russia will in every possible way promote this difficult, but extremely important process in the interests of strengthening peace and security in the South Caucasus.”