'Azerbaijan - Russia's only ally in Caucasus' conference held in Jojug Marjanli

The conference entitled "Azerbaijan is Russia's only ally in the Caucasus" was held on July 1 in Jojug Marjanli village of Azerbaijan’s Jabrayil district, which was liberated from the Armenian occupation.

Russian famous public figures, members of the State Duma of Russia, including Leader of the International Eurasian Movement Aleksandr Dugin, public figure Maksim Shevchenko, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee Dmitry Saveliyev, assistant to the Speaker of the State Duma of Russia Vladislav Kalkhidov and others took part in the conference.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Legal Policy and State-Building, Ali Huseynli, said that such an event, when the Russian and Azerbaijani specialists are discussing the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh territories which were earlier occupied is being held for the first time. He stressed that the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are fraternal.

Leader of the International Eurasian Movement Aleksandr Dugin, in turn, stressed that the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan continue to strengthen. "This is connected with the principled decisions of the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan aimed at the strategic development of relations. However, the public figures of both countries were not involved in this process. Therefore a decision was made to expand such ties. We are part of a single cultural area. We have ancient ties," he said.

"We want to express our solidarity with Azerbaijan for its right to peaceful coexistence. Azerbaijan is Russia's only and main ally in the Caucasus," Dugin stressed.

He added that Azerbaijan's role in the strategic plans of the Russian Federation is steadily increasing and common positions on a number of issues have been formed between the countries.

Dugin stressed the need to respect sovereignty and national identity. "For Russia, Nagorno-Karabakh is a territorial part of Azerbaijan. The world community has the same position. This is the consensus of the entire legal world," he stressed.

Member of Russia’s State Duma, United Russia party member Alexey Yezubov stressed that Azerbaijan and Russia are self-sufficient countries and on this basis the countries build their relations. "Russia's position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unchanged, we hope for its speedy settlement," he said.

Member of the Azerbaijani parliament, head of the Russian community of Azerbaijan Mikhail Zabelin stressed that about 150,000 Russians live in Azerbaijan, who observe the movement of Azerbaijan towards Russia with satisfaction. "Our presidents rely on common sense and understand that such a movement is necessary. The Azerbaijani and Russian peoples are very close in mentality. They are not bellicose, they are friendly," he concluded.