Vladimir Putin called Ilham Aliyev to congratulate him on the occasion of his birthday

The President of the Russian Federation called the President of Azerbaijan on the occasion of his birthday. He wished his colleague all the success and expressed his confidence in future progress of the relations between Moscow and Baku.

Russia and Azerbaijan in the period of Ilham Aliyev’s presidency

Igor Korotchenko, a political analyst and the General Director of the Caspian Institute for Strategic Studies (Russia), in his interview to the correspondent of the Vestnik Kavkaza spoke about Ilham Aliyev’s contribution into the current status of the alliance between Russia and Azerbaijan.

«Ilham Aliyev is one of the most experienced politicians in the FSU zone, he has been the head of Azerbaijan for over 20 years. Starting from the victory of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh War in 2020 we can call Ilham Aliyev a politician of the international caliber, one of those who determine the current political and historic processes. Ilham Aliyev is a historic figure, and God willing, he will stay the head of Azerbaijan for many years to come. He truly contributed into the success of the modern world and of Azerbaijan, of course», – he said at first.

«Today I would like to congratulate Ilham Heydarovich with his birthday. He really is a big friend of Russia and a worthy son of his great father. I can really say nothing more. The historic pre-emption of power assured Azerbaijan’s progress on his way to prosperity. Of course, in the modern world often come-and-go people are in power, and countries descend into addiction to their political course. In this sense, Azerbaijan headed by President Ilham Aliyev is the country looking to the future with absolute confidence. His administration is a guarantee of stability. And personal contribution of Ilham Aliyev into the progress of the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan is truly great», Igor Korotchenko emphasized.

«This is the essence of modern politics: if two national leaders trust each other and rely on each other, if they are sure that formal and informal agreements always will be followed, there will be no problems in the relations between the two countries. Aliyev’s reputation in this regard is exclusively high. He is one of those politicians, with whom Russia will be developing and strengthening the relations over the next several decades», – the political analyst added.

Igor Korotchenko emphasized that contacts between Moscow and Baku have been developing successfully over the current year. «It became absolutely evident that in the current geopolitical situation Azerbaijan due to its geographical location, strengthening of its sovereignty and reinstating its territorial integrity has turned into one of the key powers in the Eurasian region. Even though Azerbaijan is classified as a mid-power, its role and importance have grown significantly. In this sense, both Moscow and Baku based on the Moscow Declaration on Allied Interaction signed in 2022 and thanks to personal contacts of the two Presidents may fully rely on each other», – he pointed out.

«There is a good reason for Vladimir Putin to emphasize the allied nature of the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan. In the context of degradation of Russian-Armenian relations through a fault of Yerevan, Azerbaijan adheres to the policy of continuing decent relations with Moscow. Today, fortunately and to the benefit of both nations, there is a consensus in all the decision-making centers of Moscow about Azerbaijan being a strategic ally of Russia. This is extremely important, especially in the context of continuing attempts to drive a wedge between us. That is the way it goes. In such challenging context the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan are steadily demonstrating their truly allied nature», Igor Korotchenko concluded.