Some 1,200
participants attended the tenth anniversary of the unique dialogue platform,
which was organized by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, the
Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy, and the Roscongress Foundation, in Moscow on
22–23 November.
The Forum’s
two-day programme opened with an expanded meeting of the Russia—Azerbaijan
and Azerbaijan—Russia Business Councils. Four roundtables were
held to discuss some of the most significant issues in the expansion of
regional business cooperation. The Forum participants focused on ways to
enhance cooperation in such areas as industry, agriculture, tourism, and
humanitarian affairs.
The 10th Russia—Azerbaijan
Interregional Forum, which was held on the second day of the 10th
Russia—Azerbaijan
Forum, was co-chaired by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and Azerbaijani
First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva.
«Our relations are based on a solid legal foundation. At
present, there are about 140 interstate and intergovernmental treaties and
agreements in force between Russia and Azerbaijan, and a plan was signed last
year to develop key areas of Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation for the period
until 2024», Matviyenko said.
«The presidents of the Russian Federation and the
Republic of Azerbaijan started the tradition of holding the annual forum ten
years ago. The open discussion of cooperation issues, the creation of new
projects for interregional cooperation, the implementation of innovative ideas,
and the preservation of friendly relations have all led to a high level of
cooperation between our countries. We are not resting on our laurels. Relations
between Russia and Azerbaijan are developing and getting stronger», Adviser to
the Russian President Anton Kobyakov said.
Leaders from 27 Russian and nine Azerbaijani regions
as well as representatives of the business community, public organizations, and
specialized agencies of Russia and Azerbaijan took part in the Forum’s business
programme. Russia was represented at the level of regional leaders by the
Astrakhan, Arkhangelsk, and Rostov Regions as well as the Republic of Dagestan
and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, while Azerbaijan was represented by the
Qaradagh, Qabala, Qusar, Khachmaz, and Shamakhi Districts and the cities of
Ganja and Sheki.
«The Russia—Azerbaijan Forum has re-energized the
development of interregional cooperation. During the event, a lot of work was
done to strengthen contacts between representatives of the business community and
agencies from Russia and Azerbaijan. We managed to conclude agreements that
will help strengthen ties between our countries and implement joint projects in
such areas as industrial production, agriculture, tourism, and humanitarian affairs.
The Forum enabled us to once again outline the key focuses of collaboration between
our states», Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Oreshkin said.
«Azerbaijan is interested in further expanding
cooperation and increasing trade with its strategic partner — the Russian
Federation and its federal constituent entities. The 10th
Azerbaijan-Russia Interregional Forum was a key platform for strengthening ties
and identifying promising areas for the development of mutually beneficial
cooperation. The discussions held at the Forum, expanded meetings of business
councils, constructive dialogue, and the documents that were signed will lay
the foundation for successfully fulfilling potential in such areas as industry,
construction, information technology, trade, tourism, entrepreneurship, and
other areas and will help to expand business ties in the priority areas
identified by the heads of state. I am certain that the events held during the
Forum will facilitate the expansion of trade and economic cooperation and
strengthen relations between our countries. And the opening of the Azerbaijan
Pavilion at the All-Russian Exhibition Centre was another major event that
helps solidify friendly relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the
Russian Federation», Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said in
his concluding remarks.
The 10th Russia—Azerbaijan Interregional
Forum bolstered ties between public organizations and representatives of the
business communities from the two countries. The business councils signed a
cooperation agreement. A memorandum of partnership was signed by the Opora
Russia All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium Business and
the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers’) Organisations of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, Rostselmash and Azermash, Gazprombank and the AZPROMO
Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation.
In addition, the two countries signed an Intergovernmental
Agreement on Cooperation in Youth Policy. A total of 13 bilateral documents
were signed.
