- A parliamentary delegation led by you was on an official visit in Moscow on June 4-5. What can you say about the results of the visit?

- I want to note that the visit of the delegation invited by the State Duma of Russia was very successful. As part of the visit, we met with Chairman of the Council of Federations Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin, deputy chairman of the Russian Government Dmitry Rogozin.
Dynamic development of bilateral relations and interparliamentary cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia was noted at the meeting with chairman of the Council of Federations Valentina Matviyenko. Mrs. Matviyenko underlined that all-round relations of Russia and Azerbaijan are of strategic nature. The high-level political dialogue has a positive impact on strengthening relations in all fields. The cooperation of Azerbaijan with different regions of Russia was touched upon at the meeting. In this regard, successful conduct of the regional forum in Volgograd was noted. You know, the next interregional forum is slated for late June in Gabala.
During the conversation, Matviyenko lauded the conduct of international humanitarian forums in Baku at the initiative of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. As you may know, Azerbaijan and Russia have deeply-rooted historical ties. The role of the Heads of Russia and Azerbaijan in upgrading bilateral ties to a strategic partnership level was stressed at the meeting.
The parties noted that our ties are expanding in the economic, political, cultural and humanitarian fields. The trade turnover between our countries has reached USD 2,800,000,000 for the past years. About 300 Russian-language school, MGU branch and Baku Slavonic University are functioning in Azerbaijan.
The role of parliaments in development of ties between our countries was highlighted at the meeting.
We cooperate in not only the bilateral format but also within CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and other international organizations.
During the meeting with chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin, my colleague noted that interparliamentary ties are part of the bigger political dialogue between the two states. He highlighted the role of legislative bodies in development of multifaceted relations between the countries, underlined the existence of the great potential for development of interparliamentary ties. The Chairman of the State Duma underscored Russian side`s interest in strengthening and expanding strategic partnership with Azerbaijan.
For my part, I highlighted high-level Azerbaijan-Russia interstate ties. Azerbaijan places a particular emphasis on friendly and good neighborhood relations with Russia, indicating them as a priority in the foreign policy.
We will be happy to welcome the Russian delegation at the upcoming 23rd annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Baku.
Prospects for bilateral economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia were discussed at the meeting with deputy chairman of the Russian government Dmitry Rogozin.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was discussed at all the meeting. I noted that this problem is a serious obstacle to development of our country and restoration of peace and stability in the region. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan faces double standards. We are confident that international organizations will step up their efforts to solve this conflict.

- The headline of one of the leading news agencies on the results of your meeting with the chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin says Azerbaijan will ostensibly support Russia in the Ukraine issue at the upcoming OSCE PA Baku session.

- I want to say that the headline is wrong. By the way, this news agency has already changed it. The point is that the agenda of the OSCE PA session has not yet been approved.
Of course, the Ukraine developments make us concerned. We understand the Russian side`s concern too. In such questions, Azerbaijan always favors resolution of conflicts through a dialogue as part of the international law. We recognize territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine.
As to Azerbaijan’s making its positions closer to that of Russia on the issues of mutual interest, I want to note that Azerbaijani and Russian MPs cooperate closely within international parliamentary organizations. It is a normal international practice when representatives of the two or several states share the same positions in accordance with their national interests.
I reiterate that Azerbaijan’s parliamentary diplomacy relies on the norms and principles of international law. It was noted many times at the events of international parliamentary organizations.