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Beginning of Russian-Azerbaijani talks

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Aliyev,

It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to meet with you, this time on the sidelines of today's event. We meet regularly, and we always have something to talk about because there has been a considerable amount of interaction in very different areas.

Russia remains one of Azerbaijan’s leading trade and economic partners. Trade is growing steadily – by 14 percent last year, I believe, and by another 7 percent or more in the first seven months of this year. Our economic operators have invested $4.5 billion in the Azerbaijani economy.

The co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission meet on a regular basis, working on joint projects in line with the plan you proposed through 2024, as far as I know. It includes a number of promising and interesting projects that you proposed.

Naturally, we always keep under review the various aspects of the ongoing settlement process in the region. I hope that we will use this opportunity to discuss all these matters again and compare notes.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev: I am happy to see you again, Mr Putin.

You are absolutely right; we do meet regularly. We met just recently in St Petersburg, and before that, we met in Samarkand last month. Our relations are progressing so rapidly that, as you have said, we frequently need to compare notes on many issues.

We are very pleased with the way relations between our countries are faring. I would say they have reached the highest level, where we have allied cooperation, and we are making substantial progress on many issues.

You mentioned bilateral trade and economic ties, and I would like to confirm that trade is on the rise between Russia and Azerbaijan. The projects that we have now outlined and agreed on at previous meetings will definitely promote further growth.

We also see positive dynamics in other areas such as transport, energy, and humanitarian cooperation.

And of course, at each of our meetings, we never fail to discuss the issues facing our region, security issues, and ways to achieve peace. We will also talk about this today. We are committed to a long-term peace, and for our part, we believe that we have made a very constructive case for peace to be finally achieved.

Thank you again for this opportunity to meet. I am sure that this meeting will also be very productive.

Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

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