The Caspian space is changing faster than ever before. New transport routes, the growing role of regional trade, and the development of port and border infrastructure are gradually turning the proximity of states and regions into a driver of economic growth. In this new geography, Azerbaijan and Dagestan occupy a special place — territories historically connected not only by a common border and the Caspian Sea, but also by longstanding human, cultural and trade ties.

However, today’s neighborhood is becoming less and less confined to traditional forms of interaction. The question now is how to transform geographical proximity into new economic, transport, tourism, educational and humanitarian projects.

For Dagestan, Azerbaijan’s rapidly developing economy, infrastructure initiatives and growing role in regional transport processes can create new opportunities. For Azerbaijan, Dagestan represents an important northern direction — a territory through which potential links with Russian regions and the broader North Caucasus can develop.

To discuss the opportunities emerging from this new reality, the depth of Azerbaijani-Dagestani ties today, and the areas of cooperation that could prove most promising in the coming decades, CASPIA spoke with Abdurahman Gadzhievich Yunusov, President of the Dagestan Regional Public Organization “Information and Analytical Center ‘Rакurs’,” journalist, human rights advocate and public expert.

— In your view, how is Azerbaijan perceived today in Dagestan’s public sphere? What changes have taken place in this perception over the past several years?

— You know, throughout the centuries, we have never made distinctions between the peoples of Dagestan. Naturally, Azerbaijanis living in Dagestan have always been regarded as our own. We have never had conflicts on ethnic grounds. Dagestan is a multiethnic and multiconfessional republic, and these good-neighborly relations continue to this day.

We consider our Azerbaijanis to be Dagestanis. For us, this is a completely natural perception, one that was formed not yesterday or today, but over many generations.

— Azerbaijan and Dagestan are historically connected not only geographically, but also through human, cultural and economic ties. How important do these connections remain under current conditions?

— You know, I recall that Michelangelo once asked what moves the sun and the stars. And he answered the question himself — love. But that probably applies to the stars and celestial bodies. On Earth, unfortunately, wars have always raged and disagreements have arisen. There has been a great deal of negativity, and unfortunately, this continues in our time as well.

Under these circumstances, it is extremely important to maintain good-neighborly relations. Moreover, in our turbulent age, I believe they are not merely retaining their importance — their significance is actually growing and becoming stronger.

At one time, Shamil, our great military commander, said that small nations need big daggers. A century later, the Dagestani national poet Rasul Gamzatov put it differently: small nations need big friends. Azerbaijan is our big friend.

— In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to developing ties between Azerbaijan and the regions of the North Caucasus. Which areas of cooperation do you consider the most promising?

— First of all, Azerbaijan has invaluable experience in the oil and gas sector. Dagestan, meanwhile, is facing the task of developing the fields discovered on the Caspian shelf. I believe this is one area where cooperation could be genuinely mutually beneficial.

The second area is tourism. Mountain tourism has been developing very rapidly in Dagestan in recent years. And our mountain villages are, as Rasul Gamzatov once said, almost separate republics, each with its own craftsmen, traditions and artistic heritage.

Today, hotels are being built in mountain villages and tourism infrastructure is developing. All of this is very positive. If, in Poland, one of the factors behind the rapid development of certain regions was what is known as agritourism, then in Dagestan I would call it ethnocultural tourism.

On the other hand, when it comes to the Caspian Sea, we have practically nothing. There are no cruises and no developed maritime tourism.

If you look at European coastal cities, you see a veritable forest of masts — yachts everywhere, yacht clubs and maritime infrastructure. I myself once attended a children's sailing club in Makhachkala. It was an unforgettable period for me — sailing under the wind.

It was also in Dagestan that a famous traveler lived who, using a tiny yacht that he could attach to an ordinary city balcony, undertook a solo voyage around the world.

Unfortunately, today we have neither passenger maritime transport nor a developed system of sailing clubs — practically nothing. I believe this is another area where we could cooperate. It has enormous potential.

— In your opinion, to what extent can Azerbaijan’s economic development and infrastructure projects create new opportunities for the regions of the North Caucasus?

— I believe that Azerbaijan, with its rapidly developing industry and economy, can significantly contribute to the development of the neighboring North Caucasus republics.

In particular, this concerns the areas I have already mentioned — maritime tourism, as well as potentially other sectors of industry. When the economy of one territory develops actively, it inevitably creates additional opportunities for neighboring regions as well.

— Transport routes connecting the Caspian region, the Caucasus and Central Asia are becoming particularly important. How do you assess the potential significance of these processes for Dagestan?

— If caravans once traveled by camel and, as the famous song goes, caravans carrying gifts took a long time to make their way from Bukhara, today transport links are developing much faster. New highways and routes are emerging that connect the Caspian, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

In this context, the project linking China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan is important. The development of such routes will undoubtedly affect Dagestan as well. Historically, Derbent was a gateway between the Caucasus and Europe, while the main routes further on passed through Azerbaijan. Today, this geography is acquiring new meaning thanks to modern transport and logistics links.

There is another point that I consider important. Barriers between states are once again increasing around the world, while the movement of people and goods is becoming more restricted. Therefore, the development of transport corridors, on the contrary, contributes to openness and integration.

If we are talking about creating a unified visa and transport system in Central Asia, I would call it a kind of “Eastern Schengen.”

For Dagestan, this is particularly important because of its geographical position. It lies between Central Asia and Azerbaijan and can become part of the emerging system of transport connections. Therefore, I view these processes positively. The more actively routes between Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Russia develop, the more opportunities will emerge for Dagestan as well — primarily in trade, logistics and economic cooperation.

— Could Dagestan, in the long term, become one of the important regional links in developing trade and transport connections between Russia and Azerbaijan?

— I believe so. As far as I know, the “Kazoleyar” border checkpoint is currently being reconstructed. This indicates an effort to increase trade flows and expand the opportunities for trade and economic ties between Dagestan and Azerbaijan.

This is also an important indicator. At first glance, the reconstruction of a border checkpoint may seem like simply an infrastructure project. But if you look deeper, it becomes clear that the goal is to create the conditions for greater throughput, increased flows and expanded economic opportunities. In other words, the reconstruction itself indicates that we are preparing for a much greater volume of interaction.

— How do you assess the role of the Caspian Sea in shaping new economic and humanitarian ties between Azerbaijan, Dagestan and other Caspian regions?

— I believe there is enormous potential here. And once again, first and foremost, in the areas I mentioned earlier: passenger shipping and maritime tourism.

You know, we once had a television program festival called “The Caspian — A Sea of Friendship.” Representatives of the Caspian republics and regions participated in it.

I think it would be interesting to revive a similar format in order to further bring peoples and regions closer together. We could create a television festival, tentatively called “The Caspian — A Sea of Friendship,” with the participation of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and our regions. Such a project could become not only a cultural event, but also an additional instrument for humanitarian rapprochement among the Caspian territories.

— Azerbaijan and Dagestan have significant potential for interregional cooperation among businesses, universities, expert communities and civil society organizations. Which areas remain underdeveloped in this regard?

— I think we simply need to look for new ways to bring our communities even closer together.

We already have a branch of an Azerbaijani university in Derbent. It would probably be a good idea to organize student exchanges.

Because the best way to get to know one another is through direct communication. And it is especially valuable when such interaction takes place among young people. Young people can create new connections that will continue to work for decades to come.

— Today, the information environment has a significant influence on perceptions of neighboring countries. How important is it to develop direct professional dialogue between journalists, experts and public figures from Azerbaijan and Dagestan?

— I have always believed that this is extremely important. I have always welcomed various joint conferences, press tours and other formats that allow people to meet and get to know one another directly.

When representatives of certain Russian regions visited us — regions where people knew practically nothing about Dagestan — we organized trips around the republic and introduced them to Dagestan.

They admitted that before the press tour, they really knew almost nothing about us. I believe that seminars, conferences and meetings between journalists of this kind could greatly contribute to the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Dagestan.

Because information is always the key. It is important to know something about one another rather than relying on rumors, secondary facts or random perceptions, and instead to understand what is actually happening in neighboring regions.

It is especially important that this knowledge be developed at a professional level — through journalists, experts, representatives of civil society organizations and other people who work directly with information and public opinion.

— How do you assess the potential of youth and educational exchanges between Azerbaijan and Dagestan?

— I believe there is enormous scope for development here. Absolutely enormous. As far back as the Middle Ages, there was a practice whereby different countries sent young people abroad to study, and they returned home enriched by new experiences and knowledge. I think the same principle applies here.

Young people who have the opportunity to study, communicate and live in another cultural environment return with a completely different understanding of their neighboring country.

So there is indeed tremendous potential here. We simply need to work on it and develop this area consistently.

— Looking ahead to the next 50 years, which three areas of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Dagestan could deliver the most tangible practical results?

— I would highlight three areas that could produce the most significant practical results for Azerbaijan and Dagestan.

The first is oil and gas cooperation. This has traditionally been an important sector for the region, where there is already a certain foundation for interaction and significant potential for further development.

The second is agriculture. Our natural and climatic conditions are in many respects similar, which creates good opportunities for exchanging experience and technologies and for jointly developing agricultural production.

Of course, there are also certain differences: Dagestan is located farther north, while Azerbaijan lies farther south, which means that you have greater opportunities to grow certain crops, including exotic fruits. Here too, we can find areas of common interest and complementarity.

And the third area is maritime tourism. Given the presence of the Caspian Sea and our geographical proximity, I believe this sector has significant long-term potential.

We could develop tourist routes and infrastructure and create joint tourism products that would be attractive both to residents of our regions and to visitors from other countries.