Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Azerbaijan Luca Di Gianfranscesco on 23 December.

They expressed satisfaction with the current state of the Azerbaijani-Italian relations. It was said that the existing energy and economic ties generated ample opportunities to broaden co-operation in other areas as well.

The necessity of a continued development of the relations between the parliaments was underscored. The inter-parliamentary relations provide for a closer acquaintance of our nations which hold up similar values, and promote stronger ties. The friendship groups play an important part in the strengthening of the contacts, too. The conversation also covered issues related to the legislatures’ co-operation upon international platforms, and talked about the importance of bolstering co-ordination and mutual support of the parliaments in line with the strategic relations of the two countries.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova fondly recalled her official visit to Italy, saying that reciprocal visits contributed positively to the on-going expansion of the ties. She recalled also Italian MPs’ having monitored the presidential and parliamentary elections in our country this year and having taken part in the Parliamentary Meeting on the COP29 margins.

According to the Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan remains a sovereign, independent, democratic and developing state despite the 30-year-long occupation and the presence of more than a million refugees and IDP. Still, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova pointed out, a number of Western countries wage a campaign of lies and slander against Azerbaijan; those campaigns had become especially energetic on the eve of the COP29. The adoption of biased resolutions in some national parliaments and international parliamentary organisations concerning our country is unacceptable as such acts harm the reputation of these organisations themselves. According to Sahiba Gafarova, double standards regarding the inviolability of borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty are unacceptable.

She proceeded to inform the diplomat about the current situation in the region and the restoration work afoot in Garabagh and East Zangazur. The Speaker criticised several Western countries’ attempts at destabilising the situation in the region.

The Ambassador of Italy to our country Luca Di Gianfranscesco conveyed his congratulations on the successful hosting of the COP29. He mentioned the attendance of this globally important event of a delegation led by PM of Italy.   

The Italian diplomat broached the existing multifaceted co-operation ties between his country and Azerbaijan, adding that the Embassy was making efforts to ensure the continued progress of those ties.

There was also an exchange of opinions about other matters of interest to both sides at the meeting.

                      The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis