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Taking part in the restricted-format talks on the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister, Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan Alexei Overchuk, and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov.

On the Azerbaijani side, the talks were attended by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and Presidential Aide Hikmet Hajiyev.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev: Mr President,

Once again, I warmly welcome you to Azerbaijan.

Our meetings are regular, and we have already met twice this year. Today, as part of your state visit, we continue our dialogue. In fact, we began our discussions yesterday with an in-depth exchange of views on key issues of our bilateral agenda and regional security. Today, we will carry on with these discussions in both restricted and expanded formats.

I want to note that we are very pleased with the level of cooperation between our countries. The Declaration on Allied Cooperation, which we signed in February 2022, is being effectively implemented in both the political and economic areas. We are witnessing positive developments and strong results.

Naturally, our cooperation extends to the energy and transport sectors. We pay special attention to cooperation in humanitarian sphere and in many other areas, so today we will thoroughly review the agenda once more.

I am sure that your visit will be both enjoyable for you and beneficial for our relations. Once again, welcome.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr President.

First of all, I would like to thank you very much for the invitation. We have agreed on this visit a long time ago, and I am pleased to be in Baku to once again enjoy the city that continues to impress with its development, something you and your spouse devote significant attention to, as I know from personal experience. It is clear that the city is flourishing and emerging as a vibrant oasis in the region.

Our relations are progressing guided by the Declaration we signed in early 2022. Its successful implementation has been further bolstered by your visit to Moscow this past April, which gave a strong boost to our bilateral ties.

Our trade and economic relations are developing successfully. I agree with what you said at our last meeting in Russia that the US$4 billion plus was a good indicator, but it does not correspond to our potential. It is true that we can discuss not just the energy sector, but also industrial cooperation, transport, logistics, and the light industry. There are many areas in which we can work together.

The figure of over US$4 billion of direct Russian investments in the Azerbaijani economy is also a good indicator. There are over 1,270 enterprises with Russian capital operating in Azerbaijan, and, of course, this is not the limit.

As for humanitarian ties, we believe they are very important and would like to thank you for the attention you devote to promoting the Russian language. There are 300 schools that teach Russian, as well as branches of our leading higher educational institutions operating in Azerbaijan. Thousands of young Azerbaijanis are studying at leading Russian universities, and we are ready to expand this cooperation.

An intergovernmental commission is working successfully. Recently, just ten days ago, Baku hosted its regular meeting. It is working well.

I know that the Days of Russian Culture were held in Azerbaijan in June 2024. Thank you very much for organising this event.

There is also the settlement process in the South Caucasus, a topic that we mentioned yesterday and continue to discuss today.

It is widely known that Russia is also facing crises, first of all on the Ukrainian track. However, Russia’s historical involvement in the events in the South Caucasus, even during the recent years, makes it necessary for us to participate where needed by the sides, without a doubt.

If there is anything we can do to facilitate the signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, to reach a delimitation or demarcation of the border, and resolve logistical and economic issues, as previously discussed on multiple occasions, we are more than willing to assist.

Once I return from my visit to Azerbaijan, I will contact Prime Minister [Nikol] Pashinyan and inform him about the outcomes of our talks.

I know well that Azerbaijan aims to complete all procedures for a full settlement. We will discuss this.

Overall, I would like to once again thank you for the invitation. I am sure that this will be a highly useful discussion, and I can also see that the situation in the city is favourable. We like Baku. It is a beautiful city, and most importantly, it is developing in a way that many other large cities could only envy.

Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much.

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