Russia, Moscow / corr. Trend R.Agayev / Within his two-day visit to Moscow on 7-8 May, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Araz Azimov, held a number of meetings at the Foreign Ministry of Russia which focused on regional and international security, as well as the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Azimov made a report on Azerbaijan's policy on security at the invitation of the Center for Caucasus Researches of the International State Institute of International Relations on 8 May before the professors and teachers of the Institute and representatives of the expert society. On the same day, Azimov delivered a report at the Moscow Center of Carnegie on contemporary challenges of Azerbaijan and regional security.
Azimov spoke of the results of the consultations held at the Russian Foreign Ministry and the multi-sector foreign policy of Azerbaijan. In particular the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan said that Azerbaijan, as a State of South Caucasus, does not shun from any deep regional frames and pursues multilateral policy. According to him, Azerbaijan implements open and sequential foreign policy directed towards close integration with leading political centers around the world. " Azerbaijan, like Russia, attaches a great importance to the security of its borders in accordance with the national interests and resources," Azimov said.
At the Foreign Ministry of Russia, Azimov held meetings with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia G. Karasin and S. Kislyan. He described the consultations between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries as very useful and important from the point of view of understanding each other and assessing the regional security and interest of the two countries. "During the visit, we were able to establish a full and comprehensive agenda for our talks on the issues of security and military-political co-operation. The consultations continued in a congenial atmosphere," he said.
"They particularly highlighted that Azerbaijan is a very significant partner for Russia and relations are established on the basis of mutual confidence and respect and I added that these relations are possible to be developed further. We have created favorable grounds to continue the consultations which may influence practical co-operation," Deputy Foreign Minister said.
"The issues of co-operation of Russia and Azerbaijan within international organizations that were broadly discussed during Moscow consultations testified that we may do much with regards to inter-civilization talks, fighting against terrorism, organized criminality and narcotics, as well as co-operation in UNO," Azimov said adding that debates were also organized on Euro-Atlantic topic, control on arms, disarmament, non-proliferation and security in Caspian Sea, placement of anti-missile defense system in Europe, co-operation with NATO, general situation around the world, trans-regional and transnational projects. He stressed that the issue of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was the focus of the discussions. "The Azerbaijani side has demonstrated to its fullest the possibility of compromising. In addition, the conflict settlement supported by Azerbaijan is based on the principles of international law. Azerbaijan's position was again presented to the Russians and we are satisfied with the exchange of views," Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister concluded.