Putin joins solving problem of Azerbaijanis on Dagestani border

Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan have discussed the situation in border districts of Dagestan, where more than 700 people cannot return to their homeland amid the coronavirus epidemic.

Putin and Aliev talked about actions to combat the pandemic and measures at checkpoints on the mutual border, the "Trend" News Agency reports referring to the press service of the Azerbaijani President.

Vladimir Vasiliev, the head of Dagestan, has suggested systematizing the border crossing by citizens of Russia and Azerbaijan to prevent the spread of infection. Vasiliev has noted that on the Azerbaijani border, residents of this country are waiting for a chance to return home, while in Azerbaijan there are Russian citizens who cannot get home because of the closed border.

The authorities of Azerbaijan have preserved the restriction on crossing the border until May 31. In exceptional cases, ground crossings can be opened for Azerbaijani citizens returning to their homeland, and for foreigners leaving the country.

Since April 20, a total of 548 residents of Azerbaijan have returned home from Russia, where they had to stay because of the border closure, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated on April 22.