Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has met with Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on the margins of the 20^th Session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States taking place in Baku.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis greeted the guest and recalled fondly her previous meetings with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova mentioned the important role of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States and said that this Conference provided sound opportunities to discuss multilateral and bilateral relations. The confidence was also voiced that the current visit of the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Islamic Republic of Iran, too, will contribute to the progress of the inter-parliamentary connections.

Satisfaction was expressed during the conversation with the existing level of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran. Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova said of her confidence that the ties will continue developing from now on in keeping with the relations between the friendly and neighbourly countries. It was remarked that various projects are being implemented and new co-operation prospects are considered between the new countries and that all those give impetus for yet stronger development of the bilateral co-operation.

The latest processes unfolding in the region were discussed at the meeting as well. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova expressed a hope that the current negotiations would serve to reduce the tensions and provide sustainable peace and stability in the region. At the same time, it was mentioned that Azerbaijan was, as directed by President Ilham Aliyev, the first country to send humanitarian aid to Iran at the time of the certain events. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis said that President Ilham Aliyev had visited the Embassy of Iran and signed the book of condolences and that the President of Azerbaijan specifically had been the only Head of State to have visited an Iranian embassy in another country.

The special role of the inter-parliamentary ties in the relations between the two countries was remarked on and the parties’ interest in a continued expansion of the inter-parliamentary ties was declared at the meeting.

The telephone conversation of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and other contacts at different levels were mentioned during the exchange. Speaker of the of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised highly President Ilham Aliyev having visited the Embassy of Iran in our country to offer his condolences regarding the passing of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and numerous civilians, and his having signed the book of condolences at the Iranian Embassy, and thanked for that. He also expressed gratitude for the steps taken and the humanitarian aid provided by the state and people of Azerbaijan at the time of war and emphasised that it was very valuable to the Iranian people.

The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament remarked that his visit to Azerbaijan and participation in the event, too, were the expressions of that gratitude. He thanked Azerbaijan’s President, state and people for the support and aid given.

The guest emphasised that a greater development of the connections between Azerbaijan and Iran had been observable during the past year, and mentioned in particular the regular contacts between the Presidents of the two countries.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also underlined the successful organisation of the 20^th Session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States and wished the Speaker of the Milli Majlis success in the next chairmanship term in the Parliamentary Union of the OIC. He stressed the importance of the relations amongst the Muslim countries in the region.

The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament voiced contentment with the current level of relations between the legislative bodies and said that a continued expansion of the ties will have a massive impact on the development of the inter-parliamentary co-operation.

The meeting also saw an exchange of opinions about other issues of joint interest.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis