Rogozin: Russia proposes cooperation with Azerbaijan on new technologies
Russia and Azerbaijan could strengthen their cooperation in the area of new technologies. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has discussed this proposal with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The President received the Deputy Prime Minister following a session of the bilateral Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, which took place on Friday.
“With regard to today’s meeting, I’d like to talk about developing some projects which will break completely new ground for Russian–Azerbaijani cooperation”, said Rogozin at his meeting with Aliyev. “These will involve Azerbaijan acquiring new technologies and expertise. Given the cooperative nature of our bilateral relations, this is something we are very happy about.”
Aliyev acknowledged the high level of collaboration in place between Russia and Azerbaijan. “An important indicator for the health of our bilateral relations is the meetings between heads of state, which take place regularly both in Russia and in Azerbaijan”, he noted. “The fact that the Russian President has visited Azerbaijan on several occasions within the last three years likewise speaks for the high level of relations between our countries.”
The President commented that relations between Azerbaijan and Russia “are distinguished by a high degree of cooperation, friendship, and mutual understanding.” He emphasized that issues requiring a response in various areas, from politics to economics and trade, are rapidly resolved. “Resolving the matters discussed by the Intergovernmental Commission will contribute to further strengthening of our relations; this is of interest to us”, he said.
Cargoes without delay
Rogozin informed the Azerbaijani leader of the results of the Intergovernmental Commission session, during which the Russian Deputy Prime Minister promised that cargoes from Azerbaijan would be able to cross the Russian border without delay.
“Indeed, New Year is approaching fast and we are hoping for seamless delivery from Azerbaijan of the fruits and vegetables that adorn Russia’s tables during the festive season”, Rogozin said. “We always highly appreciate the quality of this produce.”
In the course of the session, the Azerbaijani Co-chair of the Commission, First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Eyyubov, pointed out that vehicles from Azerbaijan carrying fruit and other produce have on occasion been unable to cross the Russian border. “On Sunday I get a call from Dmitry (Rogozin), saying ‘Yaqub, do you know you’ve got 800 vehicles waiting over your side’, but I’d already done everything I can. I tell him that the issue isn’t at my end, that it’s him (Rogozin) who knows what’s going on, and on Sunday, while other people are relaxing, he makes the calls, and within two or three days all of the vehicles were on the move”, Eyyubov noted.
Rogozin noted that Russia remains one of Azerbaijan’s major partners, occupying third position amongst the Republic’s foreign trade partners, with its share of 10.5% exceeded only by Turkey and Italy. The Deputy Prime Minister commented that the more intimate format of the Commission’s negotiations had permitted a range of more complex issues to be resolved “which had called for heavy, lengthy discussions between experts.”
The Deputy Prime Minister invited Eyyubov and the Azerbaijani delegation to participate in the Sochi Investment Forum at the end of February 2017, and in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will take place from June 1 to 3, 2017. Eyyubov cordially accepted the invitation, noting that when the Russian Ministry of Economic Development was headed by Elvira Nabiullina, he had always participated in Russian forums. “I haven’t been once in recent years, as I haven’t been invited. Now that I’ve been invited, I’ll be happy to attend”, he said.
Source: http://tass.ru/ekonomika (Russian only)
