Abdullayeva was commenting on Zatulin’s illegal participation in the "forum" held in the occupied Azerbaijani city Khankendi.

The spokesperson said that Zatulin was included in the corresponding "black list" due to his illegal visits to the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

"Zatulin’s illegal participation in the "forum" and his groundless statements, which are propaganda against Azerbaijan, absolutely do not correspond with Russia’s official position,” Abdullayeva added.

“The strategic cooperation ties between Azerbaijan and Russia are developing intensively thanks to the close contacts of the presidents of both countries,” the spokesperson said. “Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in the recent meeting of Valdai Discussion Club and his bilateral meeting with the President of Russia within the event testify to this.”

“Amid successfully developing cooperation between the two countries, the activities of individuals such as Zatulin are aimed at harming relations between Azerbaijan and Russia,” she said. “However, despite these provocative efforts, relations between Azerbaijan and Russia will continue to develop successfully."

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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