Russian-Azerbaijani Expert Council Discusses Regional Cooperation and North-South Corridor

The fifth meeting of the Russian-Azerbaijani Expert Council on "Cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan within Regional Projects and Initiatives" is being held in Baku today. Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, emphasized the expanding interregional cooperation between the two countries, highlighting the robust network of relationships between Azerbaijan and over 70 regions of the Russian Federation. More than ten agreements on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural ties are currently being implemented with Azerbaijani partners of Russian regions.

Hajiyev attributed the successful expansion of these ties to the strong relationship between President Ilham Aliyev and President Vladimir Putin, built on personal trust and a high level of mutual understanding. This foundation has facilitated numerous collaborative projects and initiatives, fostering closer ties between the two nations.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the North-South Corridor project, which Mikhail Kalugin, Deputy Director of the Fourth CIS Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, described as a flagship initiative for the entire region. Kalugin noted that while the corridor has been under development for several decades, it has seen a surge in progress over the last two years. This includes the creation of a powerful western branch of the corridor that runs through Azerbaijan from Russia to Iran.

Kalugin highlighted the active dialogue and cooperation with all parties involved in the project. A comprehensive roadmap has been agreed upon, focusing on the modernization of existing tracks and the construction of new ones, which are crucial for the corridor's successful implementation.

Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mikhail Evdokimov, underscored the political importance of establishing peace in the region and the non-interference of extra-regional forces. Evdokimov reiterated Russia's commitment to peace and progress in the South Caucasus, expressing readiness to assist in normalizing relations between Baku and Yerevan. He emphasized that regional issues should be resolved by the states within the region, without the involvement of foreign forces.