Media review - December 15, 2018

The Azerbaijani-Russian relations, a look at the establishment of a new decision-making structure, populated areas and their proximity to the volcanic zone are the leading topics of today's media.

The "Azerbaijan" newspaper writes about the Azerbaijani-Russian relations, which have risen to the level of strategic. The presidents of the two countries met six times a year, discussing a wide range of issues - from bilateral relations to international and regional issues. So far, about 200 documents have been signed between the two countries, over the past 5 years about 50 business forums and business meetings have been held.

In 2017, the volume of commodity turnover between the countries amounted to 2.627 billion dollars. About 700 joint ventures operate in the Azerbaijani market. Last year, the Russian-Azerbaijani Business Council supported 42 joint projects for a total cost of $ 450 million. The biggest expectation from Russia is a fair settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The site Trend.az writes that some residential buildings are being built near the volcanic zone. Elkhan Mammadov, an associate professor at the Institute of Geography of the Academy of Sciences, says that the settlements of Keiryaki, Gushchu, Khekmali, Bozdag, Gobu are dangerous because of their proximity to the mud volcanic zone. He also spoke about the use of modern methods to determine a more accurate location of mud volcanoes in the south-eastern part of the Greater Caucasus.

Azerbaijan is a unique region of mud volcanoes, the number of which reaches 344, most of which are in Absheron and around Baku.

In 2006, the 23rd mud volcano was given the status of a natural monument. For their protection the Scientific Coordination Council "Palchig" was created with the participation of experts of ANAS.

The site "Azadlıq.info" writes about the Agrarian Procurement and Supply OJSC, created by an order of President Ilham Aliyev. Expert Vahid Maharramli comments on this fact, recalling that the above structure was created on the basis of another JSC engaged in the production and processing of foodstuffs. The expert explains in detail the essence of the activities of these structures.