The two exchanged views on political and economic issues as well as international cooperation.

Later in the day, President Aliyev attended a dinner party for the CIS heads of state.

The summit is due to begin on Saturday, to be attended by about 10 leaders. The presidents of Turkmenistan, Armenia and Georgia will not join the event. The Ukrainian leader will not visit the Russian capital either over tense political situation in his country.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh is one of the issues high on agenda that is expected to be in focus of President Aliyev's bilateral meetings in Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to make a statement on the outcomes of the summit upon its conclusion. Following the talks, the heads of state are expected to attend the annual horse race for a Russian presidential prize.

An informal forum of this kind was held for the first time in Russia July 2-3, 2004 and attended by all leaders from the former Soviet republics except Turkmenistan and Belarus.

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