Following the results of the work of the Russian-Azerbaijani interregional forum, which was held in Baku, Sergey Melikov, the head of Dagestan, stated that Azerbaijan remains Dagestan's main trading partner; annual trade volumes account for at least 30% of the republic's foreign trade turnover.

"This is not the limit; we can further expand industrial ties, especially in the agro-industrial complex. Shortly, we will discuss these issues more specifically with representatives of Azerbaijan," Melikov added. He expressed confidence that the discussion at this level would positively impact the interaction between the two countries.

"For example, we see great prospects in the implementation of joint projects to develop yacht and cruise tourism in the Caspian. Dagestan is perfect for creating the Caspian coastal cluster. And if we develop an interesting route, it will attract the attention of travelers. As I have already said, enormous opportunities are opened up for us by the North-South international transport corridor. Our colleagues understand this too," the head of Dagestan stated.

He went on to say that Azerbaijan is the republic's closest neighbor. According to Melikov, not only cultural and economic ties have developed between the peoples of the regions, but also strong, friendly relations. "We understand that Dagestan today plays an important role in relations between the two countries and are ready for fruitful work," concluded Melikov.