The Milli Majlis hosted the International Parliamentary Conference themed ‘Parliamentarism: Traditions and Perspectives’ on 7 December. Approximately 100 delegates from the parliaments of 13 countries and from international organisations participated in the event.

Opening the event with a welcoming speech, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova greeted the representatives of the parliaments of friendly and fraternal countries before highlighting the great relevance of the conference’s theme. She emphasised the indisputable nature of the role of parliaments in the political life of our countries. They are actively involved in state governance through their performance of legislative functions.

The Speaker expressed confidence that the upcoming discussions at the conference, which is dedicated to strengthening the role of parliaments, expanding co-operation and joint activities, would be fruitful.

As the Speaker of the Milli Majlis noted, the activities of our parliaments today are significantly influenced by the parliamentarism, traditions and practices that have developed in our countries over many years. Speaking about the parliamentarism existing in Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova specifically highlighted the activities of the Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which was established in 1918.

She stressed that holding the conference today is no coincidence, as the first session of the Azerbaijan Parliament took place 106 years ago, on 7 December.  

The Speaker said that the Parliament of Azerbaijan, the first legislative body in the entire Muslim East, formed on the most progressive democratic principles of its time, made significant strides during its brief existence in strengthening the national state and independence, and in establishing a legal framework in areas such as politics, economy, culture, science, and more. 

That parliament, which functioned for only seventeen months, consisted of 99 deputies representing 11 different parties. It held 145 sessions, reviewed over 270 bills and passed around 230 laws. The parliament ceased activities with the demise of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in April 1920.

Sahiba Gafarova noted that the parliament in Azerbaijan had but limited powers during the Soviet era. Notwithstanding the legislature’s formal nature, however, the parliamentary activity during that period was useful in terms of preserving the traditions of parliamentarism. 

As Speaker Sahiba Gafarova then stated, the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991 marked the beginning of a new era in the history of our Parliament. The early years of that time were extremely difficult. The escalation of aggressive actions by Armenia against Azerbaijan were coupled with the political, economic and social crisis as well as internal conflicts of power, all that bringing the country to the brink of division and also affecting the work of Parliament. 

It was during this critical moment that the return to power in June 1993 of the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev became not only a decisive moment for preserving and developing the country's independence but also a vital event for the formation of a new parliamentary institution.

The return of Heydar Aliyev to major politics began precisely in Parliament. Over the course of nearly four months, during which he headed the Parliament, the Great Leader laid the foundation for a qualitatively new stage in the history of Azerbaijani parliamentarism. 

The resolutions he made both during this period and later, during his presidency as well as the initiatives he put forward played an invaluable role in the inception and development of the legal framework for the independent state as well as in transforming Parliament into a real organ of power. 

The National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the architect and creator of independent Azerbaijan, is also the founder of our modern Parliament. This Parliament relies in its work on the traditions that developed in previous years and reflects the ideals of independence and statehood. 

Today, the Milli Majlis contributes to the implementation of the national development strategy, which has brought great successes and victories to our country, and initiated by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev through his legislative activities.

The Speaker said that the safeguarding of the interests of our countries and peoples requires bolstering the role of parliaments, their legislative and representative functions further. The issues of co-operation, based on the common interests of parliaments, take on a qualitatively new character in this context. Parliamentary diplomacy, which has become an important manifestation in recent years, especially attracts attention in this regard. 

Indeed, one of the key aspects of the current stage of parliamentary development is that the activities of parliaments, which are the main pillars of the internal political system of a country, are no longer confined to national borders. These activities are expanding to regional and global levels. 

The Speaker pointed out that parliamentary diplomacy offers significant opportunities to achieve the set goals, such as mutually beneficial co-operation on a bilateral and multilateral basis, effective dialogue, the exchange of best practices, and the unification of efforts in the face of challenges we encounter. All these are important aspects of parliamentary diplomacy. 

However, unfortunately, in some countries, parliaments become dependent on political interests and turn into instruments of pressure, blackmail, slander, and double standards. 

As the Speaker of the Milli Majlis noted, tomorrow the conference participants will visit the Azerbaijani Garabagh cities of Fuzuli, Shusha, Khankendi and Khojali. During the visit, the guests will witness the heavy consequences of the 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani lands, the atrocities committed by Armenians during the occupation, the destruction of cities and villages, as well as the devastation of historical, cultural and religious monuments.

On the other hand, however, the guests will also familiarise themselves with the large-scale restoration and construction works that have been carried out under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and thanks to his tremendous efforts. 

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova reminded those present that the 44-day Patriotic War of autumn 2020 and the anti-terrorist operations of September 2023 brought an end to the 30-year occupation and injustice, ensuring Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. At the same time, it was through the initiative of our country that opportunities were created for the establishment of long-term peace and stability in the South Caucasus. 

Against the backdrop of all these processes, a number of Western countries and their parliaments as well as the PACE and the European Parliament have been levelling slanderous and disinformation campaigns at Azerbaijan and interfering in the internal affairs of our country. 

The only reason for this is that Azerbaijan, rejecting any form of dictatorship, has liberated its lands from occupation and is pursuing an independent policy based on national interests. 

Such provocations came to the fore during the 29^th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku. 

While Azerbaijan sought to unite the efforts of the entire world in the fight against such a global issue as climate change, certain circles, driven by narrow political interests, called for a boycott of this global event and made absurd accusations against our country.

However, their provocations were unsuccessful. The COP29 was held to the highest standards and was marked by significant results. We, too, contributed to this important process by organising the Parliamentary Meeting on the margins of the COP29, according to Sahiba Gafarova.

Concluding her speech, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis remarked that, regrettably, unwarranted pressure, double standards and interference in internal affairs are the negative phenomena that our countries often encounter in the modern world. This, in turn, underscores the importance of mutual support and joint action. We can achieve our goals by utilising all available opportunities in parliamentary diplomacy and being guided by constructive dialogue and co-operation.

Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Fuat Oktay then delivered a speech at the conference. He conveyed congratulations and best wishes on the 106^th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Parliament, expressing also his pleasure at participating in the event. He emphasised that the Azerbaijani Parliament builds its activities on democratic principles. He also mentioned the strong friendship and brotherly ties between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, which share a common culture, language, and religion, as well as the dynamic development of co-operation between the two countries in economic, trade, and other spheres. Türkiye has always supported Azerbaijan, including during the 44-day Patriotic War, continued Fuat Oktay, before highlighting the importance of the Shusha Declaration signed between our countries. He added that the relations between the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan have been expanded, with deputies from both countries actively cooperating on both bilateral and international platforms. Fuat Oktay expressed confidence in the enduring brotherly relations between our states, parliaments, and peoples.

The Head of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan Friendship Parliamentary Group of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Şamil Ayrım in his speech expressed his best wishes on the historic day for the Azerbaijani Parliament, adding that the legislative assembly of the first democratic republic of the Muslim East had done important work. Türkiye has always stood by Azerbaijan, remarked Şamil Ayrım, saying with pleasure that, thanks to the victories in the Patriotic War and the anti-terrorist operation, Azerbaijan has fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Şamil Ayrım highlighted Azerbaijan's growing regional and global role, emphasising the successful organisation of many international events by our country, including the COP29 conference hosted to high standards recently and ensured to make an important contribution to the struggle against global climate change.

The Head of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan Friendship Group in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye touched upon the issue of returning to West Azerbaijan, stating that Azerbaijanis, who were once expelled, should return to their homes in accordance with international law.

Speaking about strengthening relations between our parliaments, Şamil Ayrım emphasised the exceptional role of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the progress of Azerbaijani parliamentarism. He lauded the links between the parliamentary friendship groups and spoke of the necessity of furthering co-operation in legislative experience exchanges between parliamentary committees.

The event also featured speeches from the Chairman of the Working Group on Parliamentary Relations with Türkiye and Chairman of the Milli Majlis Health Committee, Ahliman Amiraslanov, Chairman of the Disciplinary Commission Eldar Ibrahimov, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee Zahid Oruj, Deputy Chairman of the Defence, Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Gudrat Hasanov, as well as MPs Fazail Ibrahimli, Tanzila Rustamkhanli and Aziz Alakbarov.

According to the MPs, the proclamation of the first democratic, legal and secular state in the Middle East, Azerbaijan also laid the foundation for parliamentarism in its history. The laws and decisions passed during that period covered state-building, politics, economic development, culture, and other areas of life. It was during the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic that women were granted the right to vote for the first time. The Azerbaijani Parliament has its special place, role and traditions in this context.

It was emphasised that the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev had rendered unparalleled services in the formation of parliamentary traditions in our country and the improvement of parliamentary culture during his leadership of the Milli Majlis. The elaboration and adoption of laws aimed at protecting Azerbaijan’s national sovereignty and security, ensuring her sustainable development, and restoring its territorial integrity are linked to Heydar Aliyev’s name as well. It was under his leadership, the first Constitution of the independent Azerbaijan was adopted to lay the foundations for a legal, democratic and secular state and to pave the way for the creation of a new political system, ensuring the separation of powers, and defining the place and role of Parliament in the system of state governance. The functioning mechanisms of the Parliament were created in line with modern standards.

The MPs stressed that outstanding achievements have been made in all areas of life, ensuring stability and progress with the guidance of President Ilham Aliyev, and that Azerbaijan had become an important player on the international stage. The country’s leadership’s constant care and attention towards the Milli Majlis were also noted. It was pointed out that legislative acts adopted by the Milli Majlis on the initiative of the head of state contribute to strengthening Azerbaijan’s political system and economy, as well as improving social protection and the well-being of citizens.

According to the speakers, the Azerbaijani Parliament mobilised all its resources to support the President of the country in the implementation of national goals. The MPs noted the successful development of parliamentary diplomacy and the establishment of connections with the parliaments of many countries. The international relations of the Azerbaijani Parliament have significantly expanded thanks to the productive work of the speaker of the Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova. The strong co-operation between the Milli Majlis and the parliaments of other countries within international organisations, including TurkPA, was also talked of.

The International Conference was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Ilyas Umakhanov, Secretary of the Committee on International Relations, Defence and Security of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Darkhan Kydyrali, Chairwoman of the Committee on Youth Policy, Culture and Sports of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Orzigül Kozikhonova, Chairman of the Committee on Social Issues, Healthcare, Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Women's Policy of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan Mahmadshoh Gulzoda, Deputy Chairman of the People’s Republican Party Group in the GNAT Murat Emir, Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights of the Council of Representatives of the Republic of Iraq Arshad El-Salihi, Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee on Legislation and State Building of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Alexei Vasilyev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration of the Parliament of Georgia Savalan Mirzayev, Deputy Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party group in the GNAT Filiz Kılıç, Chairman of the Committee on International Relations and Trade of the House of Representatives of Malaysia Wong Chen, Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights of the GNAT Cuneyt Yüksel, Head of the Friendship Group for Co-operation with the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Joğorqu Kengesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Saidbek Zulpuev, the Spokeswoman of the Commission on Digital Media of the GNAT Zeynep Yıldız, GNAT Member Süreyya Öneş Derici, Member of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Sardar Ammar Ahmed Khan Leghari, GNAT Member Kürşad Zorlu Secretary-General of TurkPA, Mehmet Süreyya Er. They all delivered speeches and shared their thoughts.

The guests praised highly the activities of the Azerbaijani Parliament and its contribution to the development of interparliamentary relations. It was emphasised that the parliament played a significant role in Azerbaijan's achievements. The Milli Majlis was noted for its substantial contribution to the development of the country, transforming it into a leading regional power.

The overseas parliamentarians expressed satisfaction with the establishment of friendly relations with Azerbaijan and praised the high level of tolerance and democratic development in the country. They acknowledged that Azerbaijan conducts a successful foreign policy and declared that their countries are interested in expanding comprehensive co-operation with Azerbaijan.

It was mentioned that Azerbaijan contributes to ensuring international security and has taken important steps in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The tradition of multiculturalism that has formed in Azerbaijan was highlighted. Many significant international events held in Baku were highly valued by international organizations and the global community.

Summing up the event, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova once again thanked the guests for their participation in the International Parliamentary Conference ‘Parliamentarism: Traditions and Perspectives’ and for their insightful speeches.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis