Putin-Aliyev talks focus on econ contacts, regional issues

This is already a fourth meeting between the two leaders in the current year. They last met in July when Aliyev attended the informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Moscow.

Prior to that, the two Presidents had held talks in Almaty in June within the framework of the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, as well as in February during Putin's working visit to Baku.

Kremlin administration analysts point out that Thursday's talks are focusing on trade and economic cooperation.

In particular, Russia and Azerbaijan actively interact in the fuel and energy sector, including the transit of Azerbaijani oil across Russia's territory, and the deliveries of natural gas from Russia to Azerbaijan. Baku stated its readiness to be a co-founder of a Russian petroleum and oil products exchange.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has expressed the confidence that dynamical development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations contributes to stronger bilateral cooperation and regional stability.

"We are satisfied with our relations. They are very dynamical and effective and are built on good neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation," he said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

"Our relations entered a very high level and we want to step them up," he said.

He pointed out that the two countries' political, economic and humanitarian relations are on the rise.

Aliyev urged to keep the contacts established during the Year of Russia in Azerbaijan Festival in force.

"All these issues are interconnected. If they are tackled, they will help boost relations between Russia and Azerbaijan and stabilize the situation in the region in general," he said. Itar-Tass