MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The development of trilateral partnership of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran has a major potential, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Azertac news agency.
"We see great potential in increased cooperation in the Caspian Sea, primarily within the Caspian Five (comprising Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan) and the developing trilateral partnership involving Iran," Putin said.
"We work closely together in the South Caucasus, as well as within the CIS and leading international organizations," he added.
"Humanitarian ties play an important role in strengthening friendly and good-neighborly relations. In this regard, I would note a steadily growing trend for broader contacts in education," he said.
"Currently, there are about 15,000 Azerbaijani students in Russia, while branches of Russian universities operate successfully in Azerbaijan," the president said.
"Our joint project, the Baku International Humanitarian Forum under the patronage of the Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents, has proven its relevance and importance as a platform for discussing key current issues. In a relatively short time (since 2011), it has become a major event in regional and international public life. Currently, together with our Azerbaijani colleagues, we are actively preparing the fifth Forum to take place this September," Putin said.