President Aliyev says Azerbaijan-Russia relations key to stability in region
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan is broadly developing ties with Russia and its regions, particularly with Dagestan, as can be seen in the high-level cooperation between the heads of the states.
With the strengthening of bilateral intergovernmental relations, the traditional ties between Azerbaijan and Dagestan are developing rapidly, said Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting with the President of the Republic of Dagestan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, in Baku on October 22.
Aliyev stressed that Abdulatipov’s visit to Baku presents a good opportunity to discuss the deepening of these traditional fraternal ties.
The head of state also noted the great importance that relations between Azerbaijan and Dagestan have in terms of development, both of the region and of Azerbaijani-Russian relations as a whole.
Aliyev congratulated Abdulatipov and all Dagestan residents on the excellent organization of the 2,000th anniversary of the city of Derbent, noting that this is a very important event for the region.
The President described successfully developing Azerbaijani-Russian bonds as the guarantee of stability in the region.
Discussing the potential for deepening cooperation, the head of state noted the importance of the further development of relations with the Russian regions, particularly Dagestan, in the economic, financial, humanitarian and other fields.
Ramazan Abdulatipov also stressed the importance of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Dagestan, voicing an interest in cooperation with different regions of Azerbaijan.
Referring to the 2,000th anniversary of Derbent, Abdulatipov said that the two nations for centuries lived together and this common history is of great importance.
The head of the Dagestan noted that ongoing landscaping and construction work in Derbent under the instructions of the Azerbaijani President has been welcomed with great satisfaction.
Historically, Azerbaijan and Dagestan have been united by neighborly practices and brotherly relations, both economically and culturally.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan and Russia plan to strengthen the strategic partnership that has been established between the countries. Recently, the two countries have held a number of business forums both in Russia and Azerbaijan, reaching several agreements.
Azerbaijan is interested in intensifying investment and expanding the operations of its companies, further increasing trade turnover volumes in general, with Russia and its regions.
Trade turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan at the end of 2014 exceeded $4 billion and reached a historical breakthrough. The real delivery of goods between the countries rose by more than 50 percent in the first half of 2015, despite a slight drop in turnover.
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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar
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