Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has welcomed his Russian counterpart's efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Karabakh conflict.
He told Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev at the start of talks in Sochi on Tuesday that Azerbaijan had an interest in a peaceful settlement to the conflict with Armenia, Interfax-Azerbaijan reported.
"I would like to express my gratitude once more for efforts to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In Azerbaijan we value very highly your personal involvement in the process. The rounds of talks have brought the positions of the sides closer," Ilham Aliyev said.
Dmitriy Medvedev has hosted nine meetings of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents to discuss resolution of the Karabakh conflict. The last meeting in Kazan in June ended without significant progress being made.
"Azerbaijan has a greater interest than maybe anyone in finding a resolution to the conflict so that all displaced people and refugees can return home and peace and stability can reign," the Azerbaijani president told his Russian counterpart on Tuesday.
"A rapid resolution of the conflict is in the interests of all countries."
Medvedev responded that a resolution of the Karabakh conflict was one of the most important issues on the agenda of the day's talks.
"I would like to have an open conversation with you about what to do next, about how events may develop," the Russian leader said, according to Interfax-Azerbaijan.
He said that attention should also be paid to international issues. "They don't let us get bored: now economic problems have arisen in the global financial system. Also a complex subject."
Medvedev said that regional problems and the development of bilateral dialogue would also be discussed.
"I think it is proceeding extremely well. A great deal has been done recently in this regard - I mean the signing of the fundamental agreements that determine our cooperation in the coming years and also the increase in trade and a whole raft of major projects. There are of course some issues that we need to discuss or on which we need to clarify our positions," he added.
Ilham Aliyev confirmed that the agenda for their talks was broad. "Those agreements you referred to are the peak of what has been done in recent years and reflect the spirit and character of our relations - friends, neighbours, partners. If we look at the bilateral agenda, we can see a good, positive dynamic in all areas."
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