Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Maria Zakharova, at a press briefing Thursday, commented on the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s absence at the recent informal CIS summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Zakharova emphasized that the Russian presidential office had previously made comments and provided detailed explanations on this matter.

“It was noted that the Russian side understood the fact that the Azerbaijani president was unable to participate in the informal CIS summit held in Saint Petersburg due to a busy work schedule. During a telephone conversation yesterday, on December 24, the Russian president warmly congratulated the Azerbaijani president on his birthday. The mutual determination to comprehensively strengthen Russian-Azerbaijani allied relations was reaffirmed. An agreement was reached on further personal contacts. The conversation, which, I would like to emphasize again, is of a friendly nature, was also joined by first vice president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva. The best wishes for the upcoming New Year holidays were exchanged," the Russian MFA spokesperson said.