Mon 23 November 2009 | 10:38 GMT Text size:

Sergey Narishkin

The political and economic ties between Russia and Azerbaijan have really reached the level of strategic partnership, chief of Russia’s presidential administration Sergey Narishkin said.

"This helps develop a traditional and rich direction in our cooperation – humanitarian sphere. I would like to note the support of Azerbaijani authorities to the Russian language. About 140,000 young people study in Russian at Azerbaijani high schools. An affiliate of the Moscow State University where education is held in four faculties has recently opened in Baku. Russian-language press and Russian-language programs occupy a great role in mass media sector: 50 newspapers and 7 news agencies are actively working on Azerbaijan’s information market", Narishkin said Monday in Baku.

He said Days of Russian culture in Azerbaijan and Days of Azerbaijani culture in Russia have recently been held.

"Russian audience attended the concerts and exhibitions with great interest. I would like to single out the first night of the ballet ‘Love and death’ (music by our common singer and composer Polad Bulbuloghlu)", chief of the Russian presidential administration has said.

As for the opening of the Russian Book House, Narishkin said he is happy with the opportunity to visit Baku once again to attend this event.

“The opening of the Russian Book House has become possible thanks to the joint efforts of both the civil community and entrepreneurs and under support of the state officials of Azerbaijan” Narishkin concluded.

Novosti-Azerbaijan