Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev Arrives in Moscow for Working Visit with Putin

Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, arrived in Moscow on Saturday for a working visit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Aliyev was welcomed at Moscow Vnukovo-2 International Airport by Mikhail Galuzin, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, and other officials.

During their meeting at the Kremlin, Putin and Aliyev discussed various aspects of the bilateral relations between Russia and Azerbaijan. The two leaders commemorated the 50th anniversary of the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM), a major Soviet-era infrastructure project in which Aliyev's father, Heydar Aliyev, played a significant role as the head of a government commission.

Putin acknowledged Heydar Aliyev's contributions to the BAM project, noting his frequent visits to the construction site. The Russian president also highlighted the current development of the Eastern Operating Domain, including the BAM and the Trans-Siberian Mainline, which are of major significance for Russia.

The leaders reviewed the high-level bilateral relations between their countries, noting the growing trade turnover and Russian investment in the Azerbaijani economy. They also discussed efforts to facilitate regional security, with Putin describing the issues as "very sensitive." Aliyev stated that Russia is a fundamental country for regional security in the Caucasus and that much depends on the interaction between the two nations.

Why this matters: The meeting between Aliyev and Putin underscores the importance of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia. As key players in the Caucasus region, their cooperation on economic and security matters has far-reaching implications for stability and development in the area.

Aliyev expressed appreciation for the invitation to participate in the event commemorating the BAM construction, highlighting the strong bond between the two countries and peoples. He noted the progress in their relations under the Declaration on Allied Cooperation signed in 2022. "Issues of regional security are consistently on the agenda in my meetings with Putin, and both presidents are pleased with how these issues are being resolved," Aliyev said.

Key Takeaways

• Aliyev visited Moscow at Putin's invitation to discuss bilateral relations.
• Leaders commemorated 50th anniversary of Baikal-Amur Mainline, which Aliyev's father helped build.
• Discussed growing trade, Russian investment in Azerbaijan, and regional security cooperation.
• Partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia has far-reaching implications for Caucasus stability.
• Aliyev expressed appreciation for invitation, noting progress in allied cooperation since 2022.