Putin congratulates Aliyev, says ties with Azerbaijan will continue to develop in the ‘spirit of strategic partnership’

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on his birthday, noting that under his leadership “Azerbaijan has achieved success in the socio-economic sphere and is strengthening its international standing,” ria.ru reports.

Putin said that relations between Russia and Azerbaijan are based on strong traditions of friendship, good neighborliness, and mutual respect. He expressed confidence that these ties will “continue to develop in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance.”