S. Caucasus stability depends on Baku-Moscow cooperation - Aliyev

BAKU. Aug 19 (Interfax) - Close cooperation between Baku and Moscow affects stability in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.

"Stability and security in the whole South Caucasus region largely depend on close cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan," Aliyev said in a statement to the press after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

Aliyev said that Putin and he discussed regional security in detail at their narrow-format meeting.

"A completely different situation has emerged in the region after September of last year. Azerbaijan has fully restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Naturally, the new situation is opening up new opportunities for establishing a durable and long-term peace in the South Caucasus," he said.

Baku and Moscow have been acting as allies, friends, close partners and neighbors, Aliyev said.

"Our top-level meetings have been of a regular nature. We have met twice this year - in Moscow and on the sidelines of an international event. And of course, the format and nature of a state visit is a special occasion, if I may say so, and points to the high level of interstate relations," Aliyev said.

"The documents adopted today, including above all the presidents' joint declaration once again confirms the friendly and allied nature of our relations. The provisions of the Declaration on Allied Cooperation signed in February 2022 have been implemented successfully. Our countries act as allies, as friends, as close partners and neighbors," he said.