Defense Minister meets new Russian Ambassador

The Minister expressed Azerbaijan's intention to continue cooperation with Russia in many fields, including the military one. "Russia is our historical neighbor. We should keep and develop traditions of good neighborhood by all means. It was not by accident that it was Baku that hosted the 50th anniversary session of the Council of the CIS Defense Ministers," he said.

"I'm very satisfied with my appointment as the ambassador to Azerbaijan. I believe nothing will hinder the development of the bilateral ties between our two countries. Azerbaijan-Russia partnership should cover all the fields. We'll do our best to achieve this. Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan have also directed their efforts to this. We will also continue our military cooperation with Azerbaijan," Ambassador Istratov replied.

On the situation over the Azerbaijan-Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh, Safar Abiyev said that Azerbaijan wants the Russian Federation, as a co-chairing country, to be more active in the settlement of the conflict, as Russia knows well the history and origin of this conflict.

Mr. Istratov said that Azerbaijan is an important country for the Russia in the South Caucasus, adding that Russia will seek earliest settlement of the dispute.

Safar Abiyev and Vasiliy Istratov also discussed ways to further develop the all-round bilateral relations.

/AzerTAg/