Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has had meetings with the delegations of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus. Both delegations are visiting in Azerbaijan for the observation of the presidential election held on 7 February.

The Chair of the Milli Majlis emphasised, in the conversations with both delegations, the special place that this election held in the history of Azerbaijan, given that it had been for the first time in our modern statehood history that the ballot had taken place all over the territory of Azerbaijan including all the de-occupied towns and villages. The extraordinary presidential election will be etched in Azerbaijani history as the Victory Election, too, Sahiba Gafarova added.

Further, the guests were made aware of the arrangements made to ensure the presidential election in Azerbaijan would be held in accordance with international norms and of the high level achieved by the process. Though a young independent state, Azerbaijan is in possession of the rich enough experience of holding democratic elections. Every measure was taken to ensure that the 7 February presidential election, too, were democratic, free, fair and transparent. Both local and overseas monitors confirmed that as well.

The Committee Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Grigoriy Karasin voiced favourable thoughts about the election monitoring and offered congratulations on their success. Mr Karasin said that the members of his delegation had watched the ballot live at several ballot stations on the voting day. The high constituent activity left the delegation members with every positive impression of the election, according to the Head of Delegation.

Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Valeriy Belsky, too, remarked that the presidential election had gone on in conformity with the national legislation and democratic norms and principles alike as well as that it had been ensured that votes had been cast entirely freely. The monitors had not revealed any breach of law in the process, according to Mr Belsky who added that the Belarusian delegation had gone over to the de-occupied lands as well and had observed a proper election festivity there.

The conversations with both delegations also revolved round mutually-interesting issues related to our countries’ and parliaments’ relations. The successful co-operation of our legislatures, bilaterally as well as in international parliamentary organisations, was touched upon duly.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis