Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has met with Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe Jacob Mudenda who is in our country on an official visit.

First, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe acquainted himself with the plenary chamber of the Milli Majlis.

Then, there was a tête-à-tête meeting of Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe Jacob Mudenda.

After the meeting the guests visited the Heydar Aliyev Museum at the Milli Majlis.

Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe Jacob Mudenda signed the memorial book.

It was remarked at the meeting that the political relations between Azerbaijan and Zimbabwe are at a sound level and that there are favourable opportunities to continue expanding the bilateral co-operation along various lines. It was mentioned that the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe had paid a state visit to our country and the Heads of State had a fruitful discussion during the visit.

During the conversation, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova addressed our countries’ effective co-operation within the frameworks of the United Nations Organisation, the Non-Aligned Movement and other platforms, saying that the Azerbaijani chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement had paid special attention to strengthening both bilateral and multilateral ties with the Member States as well as to protecting common interests internationally. This policy continues successfully.

Contentment was expressed during the conversation with the progress of the relations between the legislative bodies. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova recalled with satisfaction the participation of the Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament in the Parliamentary Meeting organised jointly with the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the COP29 margins in our country as well as the negotiations held during that visit. She underlined the importance of the meetings that had taken place on the sidelines of the 11^th Summit of G20 Speakers of Parliament (P20) conducted in South Africa last year and of the 152^nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Istanbul in April this year. It was remarked that such contacts contribute importantly to the on-going deepening of the ties between our Parliaments.

The considerable role of inter-parliamentary co-operation in the furtherance of bilateral and multilateral relations was emphasised then. They stressed the importance of making the contacts between the inter-parliamentary relations working groups active in the legislative bodies more energetic as well as of continuing the deepening of co-operation amongst parliamentary committees.

It was said at the meeting that Azerbaijan pays a special attention to co-operation with Zimbabwe also in the format of international parliamentary organisations. It was emphasised that regular contacts are maintained in the formats of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Union (NAM PA) as well as that there are sound opportunities to expand the ties on those platforms further.

Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe Jacob Mudenda voiced satisfaction with his official visit to Azerbaijan and being at the Milli Majlis, and shared favourable impressions about the capital city of Baku which has been developing rapidly over the past years.

The guest recalled having gone to the Alley of Honour and the Victory Park as part of the visit, adding that it was an honour for him to visit the memorial erected for the people who gave their lives for the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The Speaker of Parliament said that Zimbabwe attaches great significance to furthering the relations with Azerbaijan and that the political ties between our countries are at a high level. He remarked that promotion of the principles of multilateralism shared by both countries and strengthening of co-operation based on international law are of massive significance for strengthening global peace and stability. He also shared his thoughts about the importance of economic ties.

The meeting also saw an exchange of opinions about other matters of shared interest.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis