MOSCOW, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev here Tuesday to discuss the Caucasus situation and bilateral ties among other issues.

    "We have to synchronize watches taking into account the problems that emerged in the Caucasian region after Georgia's aggression," Itar-Tass cited the Russian president as saying during the talks.

    Intensive interaction between Russia and Azerbaijan helps strengthen peace and stability in the Caucasus, he said.

    Aliyev echoed Medvedev, adding that bilateral cooperation in this regard needs to be further expanded so as to ensure peace and predictability.

    The two presidents also discussed the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, a territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia.

    "I reassert Russia's firm position, expressed support for further direct talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents and assured Ilham Aliyev that Russia would continue assisting the search for a mutually acceptable solution in every possible way," Medvedev said.

    Aliyev was in Moscow for a one-day visit, and his meeting with Medvedev was the third one this year.