Historical background to the document "Speech by Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the official reception held in honor of Russian President Vladimir Putin" (January 9, 2001)


The President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin paid an official visit to Azerbaijan on January 09, 2001. This was the first visit of Russian President to Azerbaijan. This visit laid the beginning of the new stage in development of Russian-Azerbaijani relationships. A number of inter-governmental documents regulating bilateral relationships legally, as well as the Baku Declaration having great importance, were signed in the course of the visit. In the Declaration, the principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers are put forward as the basis of peace and stability in the Caucasus. The importance of respect of UN General Assembly Security Council`s resolutions (the resolution No 822, 853, 874 and 884 adopted on April 30, July 29, October 14 and November 12, 1993 demanding the withdrawal of armenian armed units from occupied Azerbaijani territories are implied here) for the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijan the Upper Garabagh conflict is stressed. The joint declaration on cooperation in the Caspian Sea paved the way for cooperation of the Caspian coastal states. Heydar Aliyev and Vladimir Putin, presidents of two countries held discussions on mutual Russian-Azerbaijan relationships, peaceful settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijan the Upper Garabagh conflict, as well as talks on regional and international issues. The head of Russian state invited Heydar Aliyev to pay an official visit to Russia.

Within the framework of the visit, Vladimir Putin was conferred the title of "Honorary Doctor of Baku Slavonic University".

The visit of Russian president was an important step towards the strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan Republic and Russian Federation. Intensive political dialogues started between two countries and favorable conditions for cooperation in many spheres were created.

Having made a speech at the official reception ceremony held in honor of Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 09, Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan stressed the great importance of this visit for independent Azerbaijan Republic. According to the viewpoint of the head of the state, the Baku Declaration "stipulates the moving of the strategic partnership principles between Russian Federation and Azerbaijan to a higher new level".

The historical background was developed on December 07, 2004