Azerbaijan, Khachmaz, 22 January /corr. Trend A.Gafarov / The Ministry of National Policy, Information and Foreign Affairs of Dagestan Republic believes that the rights of the national minorities in Azerbaijan are being protected.
"The rights of the Azerbaijanis are being protected in Dagestan as the rights of the national minorities are being protected in Azerbaijan in a reliable manner," the Deputy Minister of National Policy, Information and Foreign Affairs of Dagestan Republic, Zahrulla Ilyasov, who is on visit to Azerbaijan, reported to Trend regional correspondent.
According to the past population census, nearly 198,000 Lezgins are residing in the northern and northern-western regions of Azerbaijan (Gusar, Khachmaz, Guba, Zakatala, Ismayilli, Gabala, Oguz).
Ilyasov said that there are fraternal relations between Dagestan and Azeri people and there are no problems with regards to the protection of the rights of national minorities. Today, a group of MPs and representatives of the Ministry arrived in Azerbaijan on a familiarization visit.
According to the information by the permanent representation of Dagestan in Azerbaijan, during the visit the high-ranking guests will become familiar with the living conditions of the Lezgins in Azerbaijan. The visit of the President of Dagestan, Muhu Aliyev, to Azerbaijan is expected to take place on 30-31 January.