Putin warmly congratulated Ilham Aliyev by phone with his 45th birthday. The telephone conversation between the two leaders was held on the initiative of the Russian side, the press office said.

Both sides said they were satisfied with the high level of bilateral cooperation based on mutual understanding and trust, the press office said.

Putin also sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan's president.

"You are firmly and consistently leading Azerbaijan along the way of social and economic transformations and the strengthening of its foreign policy influence," the letter said. "We especially value your contribution to the development of friendly relations between our countries, which have reached the level of true strategic partnership," the letter said. RIA Novosti