Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has had a meeting on 6 December with a delegation headed by Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Fuat Oktay who are in our country to participate in the international parliamentary conference ‘Parliamentarism: Traditions and Perspectives’.

Turning her attention to the significance of tomorrow's conference, Speaker Gafarova emphasised that the event is dedicated to discussing the role of our parliaments in the political life of our countries and the strengthening of mutual cooperation. Additionally, the conference will provide an opportunity to focus on the issues of cooperation and joint activities between the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova expressed satisfaction with the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye in all areas. She noted that the motto of the great leader Heydar Aliyev, "One nation, two states," is a reflection of the brotherhood between our countries and peoples.

It was pointed out that our countries demonstrate unity and mutual support on all issues. Our relations have today reached the highest level – that of alliance – thanks to the political will and joint efforts of the Heads of State. The signing of the Shusha Declaration gave an impetus to a continued expansion of the relations. It was emphasised then that Azerbaijan and Türkiye as two fraternal countries also generated a robust regional co-operation ambience. The union of Azerbaijan and Türkiye is a weighty factor behind regional stability and security, in which connection a stress was put in the conversation on the significance of the trilateral co-operation platforms initiated by our countries.

Expressing gratitude for the invitation and generous hospitality, Fuat Oktay congratulated Sahiba Gafarova on the successful organisation of the extraordinary parliamentary elections and her re-election as Speaker of the Milli Majlis. He reminded that the elections, held across all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, took place in a climate of democracy and transparency, and informed that a large delegation from Türkiye had arrived as observers.

Fuat Oktay said that all of Azerbaijan's achievements bring joy to brotherly Türkiye. Today, it is a source of pride that the Azerbaijani flag flies over the territories liberated from occupation.

It was said during the conversation that the high-level co-operative links between our countries continue developing successfully in the parliamentary dimension as well. The close contacts between the Presidents of Parliament as well as between friendship groups, have made an important contribution to the development of these relations. The Agreement of Co-operation inked between the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey last year contributes to the further expansion of our relations.

Along with the bilateral co-operation between our parliaments, there is also a format for trilateral co-operation. One such format is Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia; recently, another meeting of the foreign relations committees of all three parliaments took place in Ankara. It was stressed that such co-operation contributes to peace, stability and dialogue in the region.

The parties underscored the importance of mutual support and joint activities on international parliamentary platforms. The interaction between our parliamentarians becomes even more significant in a context where certain circles are conducting a double-standards-driven campaign of pressure, blackmail and slander against our countries.

During the conversation, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the GNAT Fuad Oktay criticised the resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) rejecting the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, and remarked that this biased and unjust decision undermines the reputation and reliability of the organisation itself. In his opinion, PACE must correct its mistake, and Turkey consistently brings its concerns about this issue to the attention of the opposing side.

Opinions were expressed about the COP29 conference held in Azerbaijan to high standards last month. Despite calls for a boycott from some countries, the COP29 attracted significant international interest, and the participation of numerous countries and heads of state in the event is a testament to Azerbaijan's active role and authority in the system of international relations.

There was also an exchange of views upon other matters of shared interest at the meeting.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis