View of the city from the observation deck in Baku. Archival photoMOSCOW, April 25The increase in the level of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan is natural, the parties intend to increase trade, economic and political ties, Denis Gonchar, director of the Fourth Department of the CIS countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with RIA Novosti. The diplomat recalled that on February 22, during the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Moscow, a Declaration was signed on allied cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan, «which brings bilateral relations to a new level.» «We regard this as an important milestone in our multifaceted ties, we are determined to vigorously implement all the provisions of the Declaration,» Gonchar said. He stressed that the document covers the entire spectrum of bilateral relations between states and implies closer foreign policy coordination, building up trade and economic cooperation (including in the fuel, energy and financial sectors). «The very logic and intensity of Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation led us to a natural increase in the level of bilateral relations. It is very symbolic that the Declaration on Allied Cooperation was signed on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations,» 
Seeing Baku and falling in love: what is the secret of the «city of contrasts» popularityRead the full text of the interview with the Director of the Fourth Department of Countries CIS Russian Foreign Ministry Denis Gonchar >>
