Azerbaijan and Russia's Sverdlovsk region strengthen trade and investment ties

Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Moscow Rahman Mustafayev made his first regional visit in his new capacity to Russia's Sverdlovsk Region.

According to Report's Russian bureau, during a meeting with Regional Governor Evgeny Kuyvashev, Rahman Mustafayev explained that this region was not chosen by chance.

"The Sverdlovsk Region holds special significance for us. Thousands of Azerbaijanis came here in the sixties to help develop oil and gas fields. I believe that among all countries, the Russian Federation is the closest to us, with deep friendly ties connecting us," the diplomat said during the meeting with Kuyvashev.

The Ambassador noted that today, one of the most dynamic Azerbaijani communities resides in the Sverdlovsk Region, contributing to the region's development.

Mustafayev emphasized that he would make maximum efforts to intensify political dialogue between the Russian region and Azerbaijan. He also requested support for developing an Azerbaijani school in the Sverdlovsk Region.

"In Azerbaijan, there are 325 schools where Russian is taught as a primary language. Eight hundred thousand students study Russian as a second language. While speaking with colleagues, I encouraged them to support the study of the Azerbaijani language as well. There's a small school here with only 9 students. I asked our community colleagues to support it maximally. With your support, we can make it fully functional," he said.

Kuyvashev, in turn, expressed interest in establishing direct air connections between Ural Airlines and the Azerbaijani city of Naftalan.

The Governor emphasized the growth of Azerbaijani product imports to the region: "Supply volumes from Azerbaijan are increasing, while the Sverdlovsk Region exports machinery, chemical industry products, medical and pharmaceutical items to your country. Our enterprises are ready to offer innovative solutions, including the implementation of advanced automated systems. Additionally, we are implementing large-scale projects in transport logistics."

The Governor spoke about the visit of Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy to an international industrial exhibition in Yekaterinburg, where an agreement was reached to create a working group between the regions: "The goal is to increase trade and economic cooperation in such demanded areas as machinery, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment. Relevant proposals have already been sent to us, and we count on your support for this initiative."

Following the meeting, Mustafayev and Kuyvashev agreed to intensify efforts to organize mutual visits in 2025.