Dear friends!
I would like to sincerely salute you, the participants and guests of the third Russian-Azerbaijani inter-regional forum. It is gratifying that such forums have assumed a traditional nature to become an effective platform for the discussion of relevant issues of bilateral cooperation.
Azerbaijani-Russian relations are based on a strategic partnership and successfully developing in all areas. The deepening of economic, scientific, technological and humanitarian relations is contributing to the well-being of the people of the two countries and strengthening the friendship between our nations.
The experience of recent years suggests that the formation of a favorable trade, economic and investment environment between neighboring regions is instrumental to overcoming the consequences of the global financial recession experienced in many countries around the world. From this standpoint, the Russian-Azerbaijani inter-regional cooperation can serve as a good example. I am pleased to say that our republic has direct relations with most constituent parts of the Russian Federation and inter-governmental agreements with some of them.
I am sure that the exchange of opinions and discussions to be held on the sidelines of the forum will give a further impetus to the development of Russian-Azerbaijani relations and contribute to a better understanding and cooperation between our countries.
I wish all the forum participants every success and productive activities.
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku city, 27 June 2012
