Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Elisa Spiropali, who is visiting Azerbaijan to participate in the Parliamentary Meeting organised by the Azerbaijani Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the sidelines of the 29^th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Greeting the guest, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova thanked the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Elisa Spiropali for her participation in the COP29 event and for her insightful speech.

Elisa Spiropali offered her congratulations on the high organisational levels of both the COP29 and the Parliamentary Meeting, and then emphasised that the session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is a highly important and large-scale event. She pointed out Azerbaijan’s successful hosting of this global forum. In the guest's view, the arrangement of the Parliamentary Meeting is a demonstration of the Milli Majlis' support for addressing climate change issues.

Climate change described during the conversation as one of the most pressing issues of our time. All countries are suffering from its consequences. The importance of increasing support from developed countries to small island states was underscored, too.

The Speaker of the Albanian Parliament fondly recalled her meeting with the Speaker of the Milli Majlis in Geneva, Switzerland, in October of this year, expressing her satisfaction with the progress of the friendly relations between our countries and peoples. The important projects being implemented between our countries were mentioned as well.

Further strengthening of the co-operation between the two legislatures was discussed. Satisfaction was expressed with their joint activities in several international parliamentary organisations and mutual support. Reciprocal visits and contacts as well as expansion of the ties between parliamentary committees and friendship groups will play an important role in further deepening the relationship between our legislative bodies.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova briefed the guest on the current situation in the region. She expressed regret that, after the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty, some countries attempted to exert political pressure and launch political assaults on the country. However, Azerbaijan remains committed to its path of development.

The meeting also featured an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis