The 65^th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation (PABSEC) took place in Baku on 18 June. Speaker of the Milli Majlis and Incumbent Chairwoman of PABSEC Sahiba Gafarova delivered a speech at the Assembly.

Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova voiced her delight at the opportunity to welcome the guests to Baku before saying that such meetings as this foster closer ties between peoples and strengthen mutual understanding. 

She emphasised that Azerbaijan has always, at the state level, attached great importance to dialogue, peaceful coexistence and international co-operation. According to her, Baku is today becoming a hub where ideas are born, experiences are exchanged and solutions are sought, all of which are capable of transforming our region for the better collectively. 

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova particularly pointed up the fact that Azerbaijan’s successful organisation of this significant international forum was made possible by the far-sighted and strategically effective political course pursued under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. It is precisely due to the guidance of the Head of State that Azerbaijan has managed to maintain internal stability, restore justice, ensure sustainable development and transform itself into a dynamic, self-confident and authoritative state. As the Speaker of the Milli Majlis then stated, Azerbaijan is now a country that not only addresses contemporary challenges but also actively shapes the regional and global agenda, advocating and promoting peace, development and equal co-operation. 

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova further reminded the audience that, in the post-Second World War era, Azerbaijan is the only country to have liberated her occupied territories and restored her territorial integrity. 

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis underscored the truly unique role of the BSEC in our region. This organisation unites countries from the Balkans to the Caucasus, from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. In her words, this is not merely geography: we are bound by a shared history, culture, economic interests, and, most importantly, a joint aspiration for peace and development. 

As she expressed her confidence that discussions at the General Assembly will be grounded in the core principles of democracy, mutual respect and trust, Sahiba Gafarova added that, to ensure decisions do not remain mere words, necessary work ought to be undertaken, concrete steps taken and tangible initiatives proposed, all capable of transforming people’s lives, turning dialogue into policy and policy into real action. The Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament stressed the importance of strengthening co-operation between parliaments, promoting the harmonisation of legislative acts underpinning sustainable development and reinforcing the rule of law. It is essential to move from words to concrete, effective, transparent and long-term co-operation mechanisms, with particular attention given to sustainable development. She pointed to the need to establish co-operation mechanisms that not only address today’s challenges but also pave the way for the future. In her view, today’s decisions must be not only operational but also strategic in nature. Digitalisation, innovation, and the green economy should be central to our agenda. The Speaker also touched upon the importance of co-operation in the cultural sphere, stating that cultural ties serve as a true bridge between peoples. Alongside this, student exchanges, joint projects, and efforts to preserve historical heritage bring nations even closer together. For culture is a language understood by all, regardless of borders or perspectives.

She went further to tell the audience that artificial intelligence constitutes another remarkable topic. It is already impacting economy, education, healthcare and public administration. Therefore, it is necessary to work together to develop a common ethical and legal framework, encourage joint research and ensure equal access to artificial intelligence for all countries in the region. 

Additionally, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova stressed the need to promote parliamentarism as one of the primary forms of protecting human rights and representing the people. She stated that the Assembly must uphold the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the region, thereby demonstrating that parliamentary institutions genuinely serve the interests of the people. 

As Sahiba Gafarova reiterated, Azerbaijan has always advocated for co-operation and partnership that benefits all. Our country shares its experience and capabilities to achieve tangible and comprehensive success. Today, energy projects and strategic pipelines initiated by Azerbaijan play an indispensable role in ensuring energy security, both within the region and beyond. Furthermore, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis observed that, thanks to substantial investments in transport infrastructure, Azerbaijan has become one of Eurasia’s key transport hubs, providing a vital and reliable link between East and West along the Middle Corridor. In her words, projects to develop the Caspian–Black Sea–Europe Green Energy Corridor will create opportunities for exporting significant green energy resources from the Caspian to Europe, contributing to the green development agenda of our countries. 

Having announced that the General Assembly participants were going to take trip to the de-occupied Azerbaijani territories as part of the event, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis remarked that the guests would be able to witness first-hand the devastating consequences of the 30-year-long Armenian occupation of the internationally recognised Azerbaijani territories. At the same time, they would eye-witness the large-scale restoration and amenity work afoot in those territories. The Speaker pointed out that the liberation of these territories not only restored our territorial integrity and sovereignty but also created favourable conditions for long-term peace and stability. This, in turn, opens new and broader opportunities for cooperation in our region. Thus, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the country looks confidently to the future and strives to ensure that its experience contributes to the overall prosperity of the region. 

In conclusion, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said once more that she was certain the 65^th PABSEC session would turn a page in co-operation, and wished the event participants success in their forthcoming work.

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Nataliya Kiselova was the next to talk at the assembly. She remarked that the event arranged in Baku served to strengthen economic co-operation and promote inter-parliamentary dialogue in the PABSEC region. She said also that it is essential for sustainable development and prosperity in the Black Sea region to strengthen the ties amongst the Member States. Going further, she stressed that making good neighbourly relations was of key importance in the furtherance of regional and international co-operation alike; it was also remarked that it was necessary to increase joint efforts to that end in order to ensure stability and security in the Black Sea region.

The Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament talked about the relevance of the event’s topic and underlined the extensive opportunities to achieve sustained economic growth in the Member States and regional integration of trade that are afforded by making the transport infrastructures more efficient. She also touched upon the significance of using environmentally purer kinds of transport in keeping with the principles of sustainable and safe regional development.

Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia Afrim Gashi who spoke next said that strengthening multilateral co-operation, protection of democratic values, ensuring the rule of law, promotion of dialogues between nations and a stronger role of parliamentary diplomacy were deemed substantial factors behind obtaining a prosperous future, stability and security, a faster economic growth and countering the climate change.

Afrim Gashi underlined the importance of reinforcing the mutually advantageous co-operation amongst the countries of the region for the development of a modern and stable transport infrastructure. He also accentuated the significance of tapping the potential to streamline the regional transport infrastructure, which, he remarked, would bring about firmer ties amongst the Organisation’s Member States and their continued economic development. Besides, he broached the gravitas of political dialogue in the context of building up a prosperous and stable future. As Afrim Gashi pointed out, the BSEC is doing commendable work in ensuring peace, security, economic development, stronger cultural ties and reduction of poverty.

Secretary General of PABSEC Asaf Hajiyev spoke about the importance of building an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity, mutual understanding and dialogue for the coexistence of the Black Sea region’s peoples who represent diverse cultures, religions and traditions. He shared his thoughts on strengthening economic, political and humanitarian co-operation as well as collaboration in security and protection of national interests amongst the Member States. Peace, reconciliation and co-operation were highlit as the important factors of future growth.

Asaf Hajiyev thanked Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova for the high organisational standards of the PABSEC 65^th General Assembly.

Next, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova mentioned the 30^th jubilee of PABSEC that had been marked two years ago. According to what she said, the Organisation plays a substantial role in the promotion of multilateral economic co-operation, with the national delegations contributing to the cause lavishly. The Speaker pointed out that the persons who had contributed to the effective operation of PABSEC would be decorated with the Organisation’s medals.

Sahiba Gafarova presented medals to Sofia Vultepsi (Greece), Blagika Lasovska (North Macedonia), Fatih Dönmez (Turkey), Eldar Ibrahimov (Azerbaijan) and Peter Kanev (Bulgaria). 

Thereafter, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova announced that the presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation for the next term had been transferred to the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Speaker of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Nataliya Kiselova expressed gratitude to Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova for her effective leadership during her term as President of PABSEC. She highly commended the efforts made by the Organisation to deepen regional cooperation and promote economic development. It was noted that the parliaments of the Black Sea states convened to contribute to mutual trust and stability in the region. She added that Bulgarian presidency of the Organisation would primarily concentrate on sustainable development, cultural integration, fostering tolerance and strengthening inter-parliamentary co-operation. 

Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly Nataliya Kiselova announced that Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova had been awarded the Honorary Medal of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation. She explained that the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament received this award in recognition of her substantial contribution to the work of PABSEC, her unwavering support for the Organisation’s initiatives and efforts to enhance inter-parliamentary dialogue. Nataliya Kiselova emphasised that, over the past six months as Head of PABSEC, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova had made a significant contribution to advancing the Assembly’s objectives and deepening cooperation among member states. This serves as a vital foundation for fostering regional economic interaction, stability, and solidarity. 

Nataliya Kiselova presented the PABSEC Honorary Medal to Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova.

A collective photograph of the event participants was taken then.

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After the recess, the PABSEC General Assembly resumed its work in sessions. 

A number of procedural matters were addressed alongside issues related to the Organisation’s activities and financial aspects during the first session; appropriate decisions were made. 

The session heard reports on the activities of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation (BSEC), the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) and the International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS). The event participants stated their views on the agenda items. 

At the second session of PABSEC General Assembly, deliberations were held on ‘Enhancing Connectivity and Mobility in the BSEC Region through Modern and Sustainable Transport Infrastructure’. The national delegations’ leaders spoke on the topic to share their perspectives.

A meeting of the Committee on Economic Policy and Development of the organisation was also held at the same session. It covered a draft report and recommendations titled ‘Towards a Greener Future: Cooperation in Technological Solutions in the Black Sea Region’, and corresponding decisions were adopted. 

The third session incorporated meetings of the Committee on Legal Affairs and International Co-operation and the Committee on Social and Humanitarian Policy of the Organisation. The participants reviewed draft reports and recommendations titled ‘International Cooperation in Combating Organised Crime in the BSEC Region’ and ‘Modern Strategies and Practices for the Development of Education and Employment for Persons with Disabilities in the BSEC Region’, with relevant decisions being passed eventually.

The date, venue and agenda for the autumn session of PABSEC General Assembly in 2025 were determined at the fourth session.

With that, the 65^th General Assembly of PABSEC held in Baku concluded its work and was over. 

The 65th General Assembly of the BSEC PA saw participation by parliamentary delegations of Azerbaijan, Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine and Greece as well as delegates from several international organisations, including TURKPA, the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Co-operation in South-East Europe (RSPC SEE), the Permanent International Secretariat of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation (BSEC PERMIS), the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Union of International Road Transport Associations (BSEC-URTA), the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), the Marmara Group and the CIS IPA.

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The Milli Majlis