Putin arrived in Azerbaijan for a state visit.

Russian television broadcast footage of Putin's plane landing at the airport in the capital Baku in the evening. At the airport, the Russian leader was greeted by Azerbaijan's First Deputy Prime Minister, Yagub Eyyubov. The welcoming delegation also included Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov and Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia, Polad Bulbuloglu.

After greeting Azerbaijani officials, Putin got into an Aurus limousine and left the airport.

The Kremlin said Putin is expected to hold talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on bilateral relations, as well as international and regional issues. Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva welcomed the Russian president with an intimate dinner at their Zugulba residence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) is greeted upon his arrival at the airport in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the evening of August 18. Photo: Sputnik

Ambassador Bulbuloglu said that President Putin and President Aliyev would hold extensive talks in Baku. "Up to this point, relations between Russia and Azerbaijan are at a very high level of allied interaction," Bulbuloglu emphasized.

"Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made an official visit to Russia in April and had extensive conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many issues were discussed," Bulbuloglu continued.

Today (August 19th), President Putin will visit the Alley of Honor cemetery and lay a wreath at the grave of the late Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev. Afterwards, he will visit the Alley of Martyrs cemetery to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan's independence.

The state visit program will begin with an official meeting between Putin and Aliyev at the Zagulba residence on the Caspian Sea coast. The two heads of state will first speak privately, followed by the participation of their respective delegations.

The talks are expected to produce a joint statement by the leaders and several intergovernmental documents. Following the talks, Putin and Aliyev will brief journalists on their findings.

Putin's most recent visit to Azerbaijan was in September 2018.

Hoai Phuong (according to TASS, AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-nga-vladimir-putin-den-azerbaijan-trong-chuyen-tham-cap-nha-nuoc-post308311.html