Azerbaijan is a special partner for Russia, Minister of Regional Development of the Russian Federation Igor Slyunyaev said at the fifth Azerbaijani-Russian forum for interregional cooperation in Qabala (Azerbaijan) on June 23.
"The difficult situation in the world economy did not affect the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries," he said.
"A good tradition of holding the Azerbaijani-Russian inter-regional forums, laid by the two presidents has been supported," the minister added. "It became a good stimulus for the development of interregional relations."
"More than 500 Azerbaijani and Russian companies are involved in bilateral cooperation," Slyunyaev added.
"Some 75 entities of the Russian Federation are actively cooperating with Azerbaijan," Slyunyaev added.
He added that the inter-regional cooperation is an important element of the Azerbaijani-Russian economic relations.
He stressed the need of working out a strategy of developing trade and economic relations between the two countries.
A two-day fifth Azerbaijani-Russian Inter-Regional Cooperation started in Qabala region. The event brings together more than 400 delegates, including representatives of the state, diplomatic and business organizations of the two countries.