On April 9th Azerbaijan`s Prime Minister Artur Rasizade met with the visiting Chairwoman of Russia`s Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko.
During the conversation, Rasizade hailed Azerbaijan-Russia cooperation in political and economic fields, and stressed that relations between the two countries have deep-rooted historical ties, which are based on good neighborhood principles. He underlined Azerbaijan places a particular emphasis on relations with Russia`s federal subjects.
Rasizade briefed the Russian official on Azerbaijan`s economic accomplishments, saying political stability achieved in Azerbaijan smoothed the way for steady development of economic, infrastructure, social and humanitarian fields. "The country diversifies economy steadily, lessen dependence on oil revenues, pays special attention to the development of the non-oil sector. Welfare of the citizens improved, social reforms continues," he added.
The Azerbaijani Premier stressed that "steady developing Azerbaijan carries out large-scale projects in the region. One of these projects is "Baku-Tbilisi-Kars" railway, which will provide transportation growth between Europe and Asia".
On Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Rasizade stated that the Armenian aggression resulted in occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan`s lands and forcing over one million Azerbaijanis from their homes. "Unsettlement of this conflict not only derails development of Azerbaijan but also the whole region," the Premier added.
Rasizade also spoke of the genocide in Khojaly where 613 civilians were killed brutally and handed over photos on the massacre to the Russian official.
For her part, Valentina Matviyenko expressed satisfaction on progress made over past 20 years since establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Chairwoman of Russia`s Federation Council underscored that she saw developing Azerbaijan, noting Russia follows Azerbaijan`s successes carefully. She also spoke of importance of social-economic achievements Azerbaijan gained.

AzerTAc