"For all their national originality our peoples have always been of interest and importance to each other. What is especially valuable, at every turn of history Russians and Azeris supported each other, remaining reliable allies and good friends", President Vladimir Putin said.
He noted the role of the former president of Azerbaijan, Geidar Aliev. "In the last decade the positive development of relations between Azerbaijan and Russia has become possible thanks to the authority and wisdom of Geidar Aliev. We in Russia remember and cherish his merits and memory", the Russian head of state said.
"The brotherhood among our peoples has been tempered by fire in the struggle against fascism", Mr.Putin noted. "The 60th anniversary of Victory is approaching and we will, certainly, mark it together".
The Russian president thanked President Ilham Aliev for accepting his invitation to visit Moscow on May 8-9 of this year.
"We cherish the courage and heroism of 600,000 Azeris which selflessly fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War and forged our common victory", the Russian president said. And recalled that 42 Azeris became Heroes of the Soviet Union and 12 full-class holders of the Order of Glory.
As to the present day of Russian-Azeri relations, Mr.Putin stressed that the political, economic and cultural dialog between Russia and Azerbaijan is actively developing. "It is mutually beneficial cooperation, job placement and migration, use of the common cultural and information space, including in the sphere of education", he said.
Mr.Putin called the partnership of Russia and Azerbaijan "a significant factor of regional stability". Russia and Azerbaijan "are in equal degree interested in more active use of the opportunities of the CIS for the solution of common socio-economic problems, joint opposition to national security threats, terrorism and extremism".
Mr.Putin assured that Russia "seeks to worthily untie the Karabakh knot and ensure reliable security in the region".
In conclusion President Putin said that Russia "stands for the closest cooperation with Azerbaijan and feels the same mood in the Azeri colleagues".
