Russia, Azerbaijan to sign border delimitation deal

Russia and Azerbaijan will sign a border delimitation agreement when President Dmitry Medvedev visits Azerbaijan in September, Russia's official news agency RIA Novosti reported Saturday.

The two countries will also sign pacts on the rational use of the Samur River's water resources and other issues, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying. But he did not reveal the exact date of Medvedev's visit.

He described Azerbaijan as Russia's "important strategic partner in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region."

The agreements were finalized when Medvedev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met last year in Azerbaijan's capital Baku.

Besides, the foreign minister said on another occasion that the extension of Russia's lease of a military base would not threaten the "power balance" in South Caucasus.

Russia and Azerbaijan signed a military deal on Aug. 20, extending Russia's lease of a Soviet-era military base in Armenia to 2044. Azerbaijan, which has border disputes with Armenia, has voiced concerns over the deal and urged Russia not to provide military aid to its archrival.

Source: Xinhua