RIA Novosti

On Thursday, during the working visit to Azerbaijan, St. Petersburg's governor Valentina Matvienko met with President of Azerbaijan Ilkham Aliev in Baku.

"We recognize the importance of close cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia both on state and regional levels. In this context, our relations with St. Petersburg are a priority," press service of St. Petersburg administration quotes Mr. Ilkham Aliev as saying after the conclusion of the talks.

"I am sure that we will be able to expand our economic cooperation and increase the volume of trade turnover. I think that the results of the meeting will be very productive," Mr. Aliev stated.

In her turn, the St. Petersburg governor stated that her administration intended to offer Azerbaijan a number of mutual projects.

"In particular, we intend to offer Azerbaijan a contract on supplies of equipment in the sphere of power plant engineering. St. Petersburg is willing to participate in modernization of energy industry in Azerbaijan, supply equipment for gas and oil refinement industry. We are also interested in the increase of exports from Azerbaijan to the Northern capital of Russia," she said.

Mrs. Matvienko added that the sides plan not only to strengthen economic ties, but also expand cooperation in the spheres of education and sciences.

"In 2005, Russia will host the Year of Azerbaijan. We would like to set a memorial plaque in honor of former prominent leader of Azerbaijan Geidar Aliev on the wall of the building No. 6 on Gorokhovaya Street (in St. Petersburg) where he studied. I invited the current president of Azerbaijan to visit St. Petersburg and participate in the opening ceremony," said Mrs. Matvienko.

According to the governor's press service, at the conclusion of the meeting, the governor of St. Petersburg presented a commemorative medal 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg to the president of Azerbaijan.

News source: en.rian.ru
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