Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova had a meeting on 4 June with the parliamentary delegation led by Speaker of the Joğorqu Keñeş of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Shakiyev, in our country on an official visit currently.

First, the Speaker of the Joğorqu Keñeş was shown round the plenary sittings hall of the Milli Majlis. He then went to the Heydar Aliyev Museum at the Milli Majlis and signed the commemorative book there.

It was said at the meeting that the shared history, culture, language and religion of our peoples constituted the basis of the relations between our countries, and that those ties had built on this solid foundation since both sides had gained independence. The bilateral diplomatic relations’ 30^th anniversary was last year. The two-way connexions had been developing steadily all through those years in keeping with the principles of amity and mutual understanding, and have already reached the strategic partnership level.

The exceptional role of mutual visits and meetings at the level of Heads of State in the advancement of the bilateral ties was underscored during the conversation. The two Speakers emphasised the crucial influence of the ties between our Presidents that rest on mutual respect and mutual trust as well as of the active political dialogue on the dynamics of relations between the two countries.

The energetic co-operation of our countries in international organisations was brought up with contentment as well. It was said that the Organisation of Turkic States had a special import in the multilateral collaboration of our countries. According to Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev did say as he covered covering the tasks awaiting Azerbaijan in his speech at the inauguration ceremony at the Milli Majlis that we have no family but the Turkic World.

The effective co-operation going on between our legislatures was mentioned as well. It was said that there are fine opportunities to deepen that co-operation further. Reciprocal visits of the Presidents of Parliament and MPs as well as our MPs’ constant interaction in various international and regional organisations generate an important momentum behind the progress of this co-operation. The two Speakers touched upon the importance of the ties between parliamentary committees and friendship groups in this relation.

The Speaker of the Joğorqu Keñeş of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Shakiyev offered his congratulations on the Independence Day of Azerbaijan on the 28^th of May and wished the Azerbaijani people peace and prosperity.

Mr Shakiyev recalled his last-year visit to our country to take part in the special meeting of the Milli Majlis honouring the 100^th anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. According to Mr Shakiyev, the Great Leader is the pride of the whole Turkic World and the Kyrgyz side had witnessed their veneration of the memory of the genius leader by having taken part in the said event. Nurlanbek Shakiyev said also that such events fostered the progress of relations not only between the parliaments but also between our nations.

Going further, Mr Shakiyev underscored the significance of two-way trips and contacts of our MPs in terms of strengthening the bilateral ties and inter-parliamentary co-operation. Nurlanbek Shakiyev said then that the development of our countries’ friendly relations rooted in many centuries historically was in the interest of both peoples. The Speaker of the Joğorqu Keñeş shared his thoughts about continuing our parliaments’ mutual support upon international platforms and about also promoting joint initiatives.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis informed the guest of the situation in the region. She told him how Azerbaijan had freed her territories from the 30-year-long Armenian occupation and had restored her territorial integrity and sovereignty completely. Also, Sahiba Gafarova spoke of the steps and initiatives of our country to achieve regional peace and of the work done towards signing a peace treaty as well as of the obstacle that certain third parties put up to obstruct the progress towards lasting peace in the region.

Sahiba Gafarova remarked that the guests would be able to see the destruction the Armenian side had caused in the occupation period but would also familiarise themselves with the large-scale restoration and building work that Azerbaijan is furthering in her de-occupied territories as they would travel to the freed lands – the towns of Fuzuli and Shusha – tomorrow.

The meeting also saw an exchange of opinions about other matters of interest to both sides.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis