Azerbaijan will invest in North Caucasus - President Aliyev
BAKU. Oct 25 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan plans to invest in Russia's North Caucasus republics, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said.
"We treat this issue [investment in the North Caucasus republics] very positively. This issue plays an important role in promoting Azeri-Russian relations," Aliyev said at Monday's expanded Cabinet session addressing Azerbaijan's socioeconomic development in January-September 2011.
Azeri investment in the development of the North Caucasus republics is a "new element" in relations with Russia, he said.
"It serves our interests, and it will naturally help contribute to the development of the North Caucasus," the president said.
Commenting on recent visits to Azerbaijan by the leaders of some North Caucasus republics, Aliyev said that "both sides are interested in Azeri investment coming to the republics of the North Caucasus."
Azeri Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev will visit Russia in the near future to discuss these plans, he said.
"[Investment] opportunities will be assessed there [the North Caucasus republics]," Aliyev said.