The First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council chaired a meeting of the Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The 21st meeting of the Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan took place at the Federation Council, chaired by First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Andrey Yatskin.
The Senator noted that relations between Russia and Azerbaijan continue to strengthen based on the traditions of neighbourliness, mutual respect and consideration for each other’s interests. This special relationship between the two countries was formalised in the Declaration of Alliance signed on 22 February 2022 in Moscow.
“The constructive dialogue between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sets the foundation for political contacts and fruitful cooperation between our countries,” said the First Deputy Speaker, adding that the speakers of both houses of the Russian parliament, Valentina Matvienko and Vyacheslav Volodin, have regular meetings and telephone conversations with Speaker of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova.
Andrey Yatskin stressed that interparliamentary cooperation between the two countries is developing rapidly. “We collaborate in various bodies, such as the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the Interparliamentary Union, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and the Interparliamentary Commission on Economic Cooperation.”
The Senator noted the importance of the 12th Russia-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum, which took place in the Stavropol Territory in February. More than 70 Russian regions are currently involved in region-to-region cooperation with Azerbaijan.
“Azerbaijan is a long-term partner of the Russian Federation in agriculture. Developing our cooperation mitigates food security risks. Russia is involved in joint agricultural projects with businesses in Azerbaijan. We have established cooperation in the supply of food and agricultural equipment. Russia is interested in increasing the volume and the range of products in bilateral trade,” the First Deputy Speaker said.
Andrey Yatskin noted that the key matter in their work is the cooperation in transport and logistics between Russia and Azerbaijan, specifically the development of the westward route of the North-South International Transport Corridor. Russia and Azerbaijan are two of the five Caspian littoral states; therefore, the North-South Corridor provides conditions for active development and cooperation.
Another important issue is preserving the shared educational, scientific and language environment. Russia and Azerbaijan traditionally maintain diverse ties in education and science.
There are currently more than 300 Russian-language schools in Azerbaijan. There are Russian-learning centres, and branches of Moscow State University and the Sechenov Moscow State Medical University in Baku. Around 8,000 students from Azerbaijan study in Russian universities, including around 1,000 students sponsored by the Russian federal budget.
Andrey Yatskin also reported that the Memory Train was about to embark on a tour of Great Patriotic War sites and, at the initiative of the Federation Council Speaker, school students from Azerbaijan were also taking part in the project.
First Deputy Speaker of Milli Mejlis Ali Huseynli noted in his remarks that the meeting of the commission would contribute to the development of bilateral interparliamentary relations. “Our nations are bound by centuries-long traditions of friendship and neighbourliness. It is good to see that today we are building our relations on this solid historical foundation.”
“Russia is the cornerstone of regional security in the Caucasus. Many aspects of security depend on the cooperation between our countries,” Ali Huseynli stressed.
The meeting was attended by Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin, Russian senators Ivan Abramov, Alexander Bashkin, Sergey Ryabukhin, Iliyas Umakhanov, Anatoly Shirokov, State Duma deputies, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Transport Dmitry Zverev, and parliament members from Azerbaijan.
The meeting agenda included a signing ceremony for the 2024−2026 roadmap of the Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan.