Dear friends!
I warmly welcome you - the participants and guests of the Third Russian-Azerbaijani inter-regional forum. Noteworthy is that these forums as a good tradition has become effective platform for discussion of urgent questions of the bilateral cooperation.
The Azerbaijani-Russian relations based on strategic partnership develop in all spheres. Deepening of the economic, scientific-technical and humanitarian relations certainly impact on improvement of welfare of the citizens of both countries, and have positive influence on strengthening of historical ties between the two peoples.
Experience of last years prove that forming of favorable trade-economic and investment environment among the regions of neighboring states enables to prevent negative results of the global financial crisis that many world countries are facing. From this standpoint, the interregional cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan can be a good example. With great pleasure I would note that currently our Republic has established direct ties with the most subjects of the Russian Federation, and signed intergovernmental agreements with some of them.
I am convinced that within the Forum, efficient exchange of views and discussions will give new impetus to development of the Azerbaijani-Russian relations, promote deepening of mutual understanding and cooperation between our countries.
I wish successful and fruitful work to all participants of the Forum.

Ilham Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku, June 27, 2012