MAKHACHKALA, July 16 Working trip of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Dagestan, which took place on June 28, was planned, he was expected and invited three times in the republic, the head of the region Sergey Melikov said in an interview.
““Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin), when visiting Dagestan, said that even at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum he had told President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that he planned to visit Derbent in the near future. In this regard, I would not like any intrigues. The trip to Dagestan was planned. Of course, some circumstances could affect the timing, the work schedule of the president. We can see for ourselves how difficult and busy his schedule is,» Melikov said.
According to him, the conversation with the president about visiting Dagestan took place the year before last, on the eve of the signing of the decree of the head of state on the celebration in 2023 of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the national poet of Dagestan Rasul Gamzatov.
“Then for the first time we invited him to visit Dagestan in the Year of Rasul Gamzatov. Last year and this year I repeated this invitation. And Vladimir Vladimirovich responded to this invitation in this way. Derbent, which today is the oldest, most ancient, most interesting and, most importantly, the southernmost city of our country, which, among other things, is a city not just of existence, but of strengthening interethnic, interfaith relations,» Melikov said.
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