The cooperation between Moscow and Baku has recently become truly strategic and allied, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at the plenary session of the XI Russian-Azerbaijani Interregional Forum on Thursday, RIA Novosti reported.

"The ties of friendship and partnership have become even stronger in recent years. The cooperation has acquired a truly strategic and allied nature," he noted.

 In his opinion, there is great potential for the development of humanitarian cooperation between the two states. "I urge to use it more actively," Mishustin added.

In his view, one of the most important tasks is to preserve the common language space and adapt it to new modern conditions. "Now there are about 340 Russian-language schools in Azerbaijan. Many young people strive to get higher education in Russian, and we are creating the necessary opportunities for this."

"Strong humanitarian ties create a reliable basis for expanding direct contacts between citizens of our countries and are of great importance for strengthening good neighborhood," Mishustin believes. He expects that the current forum will bring interaction to an even higher level. The head of the Russian Cabinet of Ministers assured that the Government is ready to consider and take into consideration the suggestions of the forum participants. "Expansion of the geography of regional ties and strengthening of the established contacts will help develop the economies of our countries and improve the quality of life of the citizens of Russia and Azerbaijan," convinced Russian Prime Minister.