On November 27, 2023, the fourth meeting of the Russia-Azerbaijan Expert Council (RAEC) was held in Moscow. The event dedicated to the topic of "Mutual Activity between Russia and Azerbaijan in the Context of Post-Conflict Development in the South Caucasus" was jointly organized by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Center of the Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center).

Delivering the opening speech, the Ambassador for Special Assignments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elshad Iskandarov and Deputy Director of the Fourth Department of CIS Countries of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Kalugin emphasized that Russian-Azerbaijani relations have the character of strategic partnership. The MFA officials have highly appreciated the contribution of the activities of the RIAC to the strengthening of bilateral relations. Later, Ivan Timofeyev, Director General of the RIAC and Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the AIR Center emphasized the importance of direct contacts between the experts of the two countries to provide a precise information about the processes taking place in the region.

Regional security problems, cooperation against the backdrop of global challenges, strengthening regional cooperation within the framework of the 3+3 format in order to prevent new geopolitical risks, especially in the South Caucasus region, were discussed in the closed sessions of the meeting held in an interactive dialogue environment. Regional communication issues such as North-South ITC, East-West road and Zangazur corridor were also in the focus of the event.

The meeting also adopted a communiqué on the practical recommendations of the Council related to various aspects of the development of ties between the two countries. In the document to be presented to the upcoming XII CIS Russia-Azerbaijan Interregional Forum, the relevant state structures of both countries also considered it expedient to organize the Council's activities on a permanent basis.