Ilham Aliyev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a one-on-one meeting

President Ilham Aliyev has met Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is paying a visit to Azerbaijan.

The heads of state posed for an official photo.

Then the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia held a one-on-one meeting.

Welcoming the Russian President, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said:

- Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich! I am very pleased to see you! Welcome to Azerbaijan! I am sure that your visit will give an additional impetus to our relations.

Our relations are developing very dynamically, positively and successfully. Our relations encompass many areas. Today we will have the opportunity to discuss the bilateral agenda and regional issues. The agenda is quite broad, there are good results in the economy, even better than we expected. Also, there are traditionally good results and prospects in the humanitarian sphere. In other words, our relations are developing successfully.

Your visit, of course, has a special place in the development of our relations. I am sure that the positive dynamics of our relations will be continued after the visit.

I heartily welcome you again. You are welcome!

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said:

- Ilham Heydar oglu, thank you very much for the invitation! Indeed, the relations between our countries are developing very successfully. Despite the overall difficult situation in the global economy, the increase in our turnover last year amounted to more than 40, nearly 50 per cent. This is one of the records for us.

Russia remains one of the leaders in the trade and economic relations with Azerbaijan – we are in second place and the trade turnover is growing. We are particularly pleased with the structure of trade both on the Azerbaijani and Russian side.

Our relations are developing in many directions. We can justifiably say that they are diversified. It is particularly gratifying that a lot of initiatives, including the initiatives of the Azerbaijani side, are focused on the development of the humanitarian sphere. I know that there are also your personal initiatives there. We will discuss all this today.

I am confident that our meeting today will contribute to the development of our relations. I am accompanied by a large team and key ministers on main areas of our cooperation. So the work will be meaningful, large, interesting and very useful.