Moscow: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow on July 17. The ministers engaged in discussions concerning the current state and prospects of Azerbaijan-Russia relations, encompassing economic, trade, and humanitarian cooperation, as well as addressing regional and international matters.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Sergey Lavrov congratulated Jeyhun Bayramov on Azerbaijan's Diplomatic Service Day, which is observed on July 9, and wished him continued success in his role. Lavrov highlighted that these ministerial talks are an extension of the ongoing dialogue maintained between the two countries at multiple levels, including presidents, governments, ministries, agencies, and parliaments. He emphasized the efforts toward realizing the potential outlined in the Moscow Declaration on Allied Interaction, signed on February 22, 2022.
Lavrov also mentioned that issues related to the aftermath of the AZAL passenger plane crash had been resolved this year due to high-level agreements and coordinated efforts by both governments and foreign ministries. He pointed out the intention to discuss economic cooperation further, referencing the 24th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation held in April. Positive developments and promising prospects in cultural and humanitarian cooperation were also noted.
The Russian foreign minister stated that the situation in the South Caucasus would be a topic of discussion, with growing interest in the 3+3 regional consultative platform. Additionally, the ministers were set to exchange views on cooperation within international entities such as the United Nations, the OSCE, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Jeyhun Bayramov expressed gratitude to Sergey Lavrov for the invitation to Moscow and the hospitality extended to the Azerbaijani delegation. He acknowledged the importance of such meetings for comprehensive discussions on the full spectrum of Azerbaijan-Russia relations. The talks were expected to include an extensive review of economic and trade cooperation, with regular meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission serving as a key mechanism.
Despite global economic challenges, Bayramov noted that the overall trend in bilateral relations remains positive. He indicated that the parties would assess the outcomes of their cooperation in 2025 and discuss future priority areas. The humanitarian sector was described as a crucial pillar of Azerbaijan-Russia relations. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani foreign minister reaffirmed the readiness of both countries to engage in discussions on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including cooperative efforts within international organizations.