A meeting of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev has been held in Sochi.

Welcoming the Azerbaijani President, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said:

Dear Ilham Heydarovich! Let me warmly welcome you to Sochi.

This is a good place to discuss the current state of affairs in our bilateral relations, the regional agenda and international matters – they always keep us busy: some economic problems have emerged in global financial systems. So this is also quite a complicated theme.

Of course, first of all I would like to focus on the development of our bilateral dialogue. In my view, it has been quite good. A lot has been done in that respect. I am talking of the signing of fundamental agreements that represent the core of our cooperation for the coming years, the growing turnover and a whole host of major projects. But, of course, there are issues we need to consult on and clarify the position of a partner.

Of course, one of the most important issues is the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. I would like to have a candid discussion with you on what is to be done next, how the developments may unfold in view of our latest trilateral meeting in Kazan and previous meetings in this format.

Solution of regional problems is very important indeed for us because we are close countries, we are neighbors, we are very close friends and partners. And the well-being of the whole region, our countries and peoples depends on how the situation in our region develops. So I would like to consult with you on these issues.

Let me welcome you again. The weather is quite favorable. If you have noticed, it is always humid in Sochi. But not today, it is just warm.

Expressing his gratitude, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said:

Thank you very much, Dmitry Anatolyevich.

Thank you for the invitation. I am very pleased to meet with you in Sochi again, this time in summer. Our meetings here are usually held in winter, so it is very interesting to come here for the first time in summer and, most importantly, to have the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the issues you have stated.

Our agenda is very broad indeed. Almost all bilateral issues have been resolved. The agreements you have mentioned are the culminating point of what has been done in recent years. They reflect the form, the spirit and the nature of relations: friendly, neighborly and partnership relations.

If we look at the bilateral agenda, we can see positive trends in all the directions. Political consultations are held on a regular basis, including the highest level. Political interaction also facilitates the development of regional cooperation.

In the economic sphere, as you have mentioned, the turnover is growing, its structure is improving, there are prospects for further increasing the turnover.

I can also point to the positive developments in the humanitarian cooperation, issues of energy security and many other spheres. Today we are pleased to say that our relations are developing in a positive and dynamic manner.

We are neighbors, two Caspian littoral countries, two Caucasus countries, and, of course, regional developments largely hinge on our interaction.

I would like thank you again for your efforts towards resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

We in Azerbaijan appreciate your personal involvement in the process. Of course, the negotiations held in a trilateral format have brought the positions of the sides substantially closer together.

This is the biggest regional security problem and, of course, Azerbaijan is interested, perhaps more than anyone else, in a speediest settlement so that all the displaced persons could return to their homes, and peace, calm and cooperation could be established in the region.

Of course, the principles of a future settlement reflect international legal norms and commonsense. So a soonest settlement is in the best interests of all countries.

I want to thank you again for your personal efforts, for the positive trends which we have developed in recent years and which have brought our countries closer together, and for the invitation to visit the beautiful city of Sochi in such a fine weather.

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Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Dmitry Medvedev toured the city in a battery-driven vehicle.