Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with Chairman of the Parliament of Montenegro Andrija Mandić within the framework of her official visit to Montenegro.

First, a one-on-one meeting was held, where the Heads of Parliament exchanged views on the relations between our countries and legislatures. After the meeting, Sahiba Gafarova signed a book of remembrance.

Then the meeting was resumed and went with the participation of delegations.

Warmly welcoming the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, Andrija Mandić expressed

confidence that the current visit would contribute to further expansion of co-operation between our countries and legislative bodies.

It was noted at the meeting that our countries are friendly and reliable partners which share common values and have a common opinion on many issues.

Andrija Mandić remarked that his country is interested in furthering the growth of the relations with Azerbaijan. The 15^th anniversary of the establishment of relations between our countries last year was mentioned as well. It was then said that our relations had negotiated a path of positive growth in several areas throughout those years.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova thanked for the generous hospitality and accentuated the unique role of high-level visits and meetings in the progress of the bilateral relations.

The importance of the interaction between parliaments as one of the substantial factors of positive influence on the bilateral and multilateral relations was spoken of as the meeting went on. It was stressed that it was crucial to continue mutual visits and dialogue in that area as well in order to deepen the relationship. Having remarked that that was her first official visit to Montenegro as Head of the Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova fondly recalled her meetings with the leaders of the Parliament of that country.

The need for joint activities of the friendship groups was emphasised during the conversation. As it was pointed out, the friendship groups serve as a bridge between our parliaments through regular contacts, dialogue and exchange of views. There was also an exchange of views on the issues of co-operation between the parliamentary committees.

Besides, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova supplied the Montenegrin side with detailed information about the current situation in the region. She reminded them of Azerbaijan’s having fully restored her territorial integrity and sovereignty with the liberation of her own territories from the 30-year occupation, and remarked that there were no obstacles now to signing a peace treaty based on the five principles motioned by Azerbaijan.

Telling about the current peace treaty conversations, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said that Armenia and Azerbaijan stand remarkably close to peace today. As she emphasised, Armenia’s consent to give back to Azerbaijan the 4 previously occupied villages signifies that the two countries are capable of achieving a positive outcome via direct negotiations and without any mediation or interference.

The Speaker of the Sahiba Gafarova mentioned with regret certain countries, first and foremost, France taking steps to fan the tensions in our region. The Speaker highlighted the libellous campaign targeting our country waged in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and other international organisations. Such a campaign rests on the fictious, unreal claims that Azerbaijan is preparing for a new war. An anti-Azerbaijani policy is being pursued. According to Mrs Gafarova, France is also arming Armenia, which, too, signals an approach departed from serving peace but, rather, calculated to instigate another conflict.

Sahiba Gafarova mentioned the European Parliament’s 25 April resolution about the issue of civil society and human rights in Azerbaijan – a resolution based on biased, distorted and false information – and described that move the EP had taken as a partial political action against our country. According to Mrs Gafarova, this entity has become a tool in the hands of the forces that are conducting a hostile and slanderous campaign against Azerbaijan.

Chairman of the Parliament of Montenegro Andrija Mandić, in turn, voiced his country’s unwavering support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, adding that, once signed eventually, the peace treaty would absolutely be instrumental in maintaining peace and co-operation in the region.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest, and after the meeting, the Speakers of the two Parliaments participated in the "Barbara Prammer Democracy Workshop" organised in the Parliament of Montenegro. Here, the speakers met with students and answered their questions.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis