Editor's Note:photos were added
EDITOR's NOTE: Chairman of Democratic Reforms Party Asim Mollazade's expressions added after the 15th paragraphAzerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 28 / Trend, S.Agayeva /
Development of the Azerbaijani-Russian relations covered all spheres, including the two countries' inter-parliamentary relations, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration's Social and Political Department Head Ali Hasanov said at the opening session of a roundtable meeting "Parliament's role in development of civil society", organized by the Institute of Eurasian Studies.
One of the main directions of cooperation is the development of civil society in both countries, and the two countries' parliaments play an important role in it, Hasanov said.
Hasanov expressed the hope that the meeting, which brings together members of the two countries' parliaments, prominent political scientists and experts, will contribute to further development of relations.
Hasanov also emphasized the role of the Institute of Eurasian Studies in the development of relations between civil societies of both countries.
He said the presidents of the two countries made a major contribution to the Azerbaijani-Russian relations.
"Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's initiatives to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict give hope for an effective resolution of this problem," Hasanov said.
Astrakhan hosted the trilateral meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia - Ilham Aliyev, Dmitry Medvedev and Serzh Sargsyan Oct.27. The ways of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were discussed there. The parties have signed a declaration, which envisages the return of prisoners of war and takes a humanitarian nature.
Sergei Vinokurov, Head of the Department for Interregional and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries for the President of the Russian Federation, attributed theme of today's discussions highly actual.
Vinokurov said the Federal Assembly and the Milli Mejlis deservedly represent the authorities of both countries.
Vinokurov believes that interparliamentary relations today play a prominent role in all spheres of relations. "The strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia is accompanied by intensive dialogue at various levels."
Vinokurov considers the development of economic ties between the two countries a key area of cooperation. "Russia in recent years takes main place among Azerbaijan's economic partners."
According to the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Economic Policy Committee chairman Ziyad Samadzade, creating a developed civil society in the country is the main task facing the authorities of each state.
"Azerbaijan, as a democratic state, considers a priority to create a developed civil society. Today, Azerbaijan is a leader in the region for its economic development. The country's foreign and economic policy meets interests and needs of society," he said.
According to Samadzade, development of civil society is fully supported by the legislative body. "So far, the Azerbaijani parliament has passed over 100 laws that protect the public interest and we are ready to learn the Duma's experience in this area to continue further working in this direction," he said.
Chairman of Democratic Reforms Party Asim Mollazade also addressed the meeting. He stressed the importance of inter-parliamentary relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, which allow working on many issues of mutual cooperation.
"Responsible policy of the two countries' leadership ensures an excellent level of mutual work of our parliaments," he said.
In his opinion, parliaments of Russia and Azerbaijan should conduct a successful work in many areas of citizens' social life. First it is necessary to work on the projects of social direction to achieve this goal.
In this regard, Mollazade made an offer to create Commission of joint reforms in culture, education and health in Azerbaijan and Russia's parliaments. He said such a commission will help to strengthen and expand bilateral parliamentary cooperation.
"For example, the model of a secular Muslim Azerbaijan could become an excellent model for multiethnic Russia," he said.
