Medvedev, Aliyev
"We have a very broad agenda," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at the start of talks with his Russian counterpart. "Your visit will be very important for the further development of our ties, especially since we have much to discuss."
He described Russian-Azerbaijani relations as "sincere, neighbourly and the relations of strategic partners".
Dmitriy Medvedev agreed: "I hope that we will be able to discuss current issues in our bilateral relations, the regional agenda, international issues and sign important documents."
The documents to be signed during the visit include an agreement on the delimitation of the Russian-Azerbaijani border and a treaty on the rational usage of the waters of the Samur River, which constitutes much of the border.
The Azerbaijani president is expected to raise amongst other issues the extension of the term of the Russian military base in Armenia and the role of Russian troops there.
Before the start of talks with limited attendance, an official welcome ceremony was held for the Russian president and his wife.
The two presidents inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour as an orchestra played the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Russia.
Azerbaijani state and government officials were introduced to President Dmitriy Medvedev, and members of the Russian delegation to President Ilham Aliyev.
The presidents and their spouses then posed for photographs.
Azerbaijan's First Lady, Mehriban Aliyeva, is meeting Russia's First Lady, Svetlana Medvedeva.
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