On December 6, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, received Sergey Melikov, the Head of the Republic of Dagestan (Russia), the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan is successfully cooperating with individual regions of the Russian Federation, including the Republic of Dagestan, adding that it contributes to the development of Azerbaijan-Russia bilateral relations. The head of state also said Azerbaijan-Russia relations have successfully developed in 2022. President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of reciprocal visits and fruitful meetings and noted the significance of the recent regular Azerbaijan-Russia Interregional Forum.

Underlining the existence of historical relations between the two nations for centuries, Aliyev hailed that these ties have also strengthened in the modern era. In this regard, President Aliyev expressed confidence that Sergey Melikov's visit to Baku will expand cooperation between Azerbaijan and Dagestan in specific areas.

Pointing out that the two nations enjoy brotherly ties, Sergey Melikov praised that, along with representatives of other nations, Azerbaijanis also live as one family in Dagestan. He expressed confidence that the meetings to be held during his visit to Azerbaijan will contribute even further to the expansion of cooperation.

Under the Order of the President of Azerbaijan, the head of state presented the "Shohret" Order to Magomed Saidovich Kurbanov, the Adviser to the head of the Republic of Dagestan, for his productive activities in the development of friendly relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, including the peoples of Azerbaijan and Dagestan.

"A sculpture, which once was in the office of prominent statesman and public figure Aziz Aliyev, was presented to the President of Azerbaijan. Notably, during his leadership in Dagestan from 1942 to 1948, Aziz Aliyev [the First Secretary of the Dagestan Regional Committee of the Communist Party and father-in-law of Azerbaijan's President Heydar Aliyev] prevented the planned deportation of the people of Dagestan, the fate that befell other Caucasian peoples. Therefore, on behalf of the elders of Dagestan, he was presented with a sculpture depicting a horse rider with a child in the back. This piece of art will be in the office of President Ilham Aliyev from now on," the report added.

As previously reported by Caucasus Watch, on November 29, Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received a delegation led by Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation.