Упрощенная HTML-версия
Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Author : L. Goussev
Senior research fellow, Analytical Center, Institute for International Studies, Moscow State Institute (Uni-
versity) of International Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Candidate of
Science (History);
AZERBAIJAN is one of the main countries in international en-
ergy policy, particularly in the Caucasus. Moreover, it has experi-
enced rapid economic growth in the last 15 years. This is why
economic and energy cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan
has been developing quite actively.
Russia stands to gain from cooperation with Azerbaijan because
this means transportation and communication links with the
South and the East and mutually beneficial energy cooperation.
More than 300 Russian companies, including such giants as
Lukoil, operate in that country. For Azerbaijan, Russia is one of
the main trade and economic partners.
Non-primary products subject to VAT, including engineering products, are part of the
trade between Azerbaijan and Russia. Azerbaijan imports also included transport vehicles,
internal combustion engine parts, pharmaceuticals, paper, glass, wheat and other goods
and materials. In 2011, Azerbaijan increased exports to Russia of organic fruits and veg-
etables and other agricultural and food products.
Today, 18 subjects of the Russian Federation have formal documents on cooperation with
the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Banking and financial relations as part of trade and economic relations play a special role
in developing cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan.
Cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan has been developing steadily, and Azerbaijan's
leadership is well aware that Russia is its most reliable partner in both energy projects and
economic cooperation in general.
A visit to Azerbaijan by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on July 3-4, 2008 marked a
new stage in cooperation between our countries. During the talks, much attention was paid
to energy topics. "Energy, industry and transport are kept in view by the presidents and
governments of the two countries. Cooperation in the field of trade in energy resources
will develop in the near future," said the Russian president during the meeting.
But after the conflict in South Ossetia, the situation in the region changed dramatically.
As a result of that conflict, Georgia acquired the status of an unstable country, which nat-
Azerbaijan and Russia: Developing Economic and Energy Coop-
eration