Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has met with President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama on 1 September in the course of her working visit to the Republic of Serbia.

The current condition of the relations between Azerbaijan and Ghana was discussed at the meeting; also, there was an exchange of views regarding our relations’ development prospects.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova signified Azerbaijan’s interest in developing relations with Ghana and mentioned the presence of opportunities to expand the relations between our countries in various sectors.

The conversation touched upon the issues of establishing diplomatic relations and of international co-operation between Azerbaijan and Ghana. Satisfaction was expressed with our countries’ co-operation and joint activities within the frameworks of the UN, Non-Aligned Movement and other international organisations. The importance of strengthening mutual support and collaboration on international platforms was emphasised in this context.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis shared her thoughts about the work which Azerbaijan had done during the 4-year-long chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, the initiatives our country had put forth and the considerable successes that had been achieved. As she was talking about the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network established upon the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, Sahiba Gafarova remarked that that platform played an important role in the furtherance of relations amongst the Member States’ parliaments and in exchange of experience. It was noted that expanding co-operation with Ghana was essential in this context.

Special attention was also paid at the meeting to the question of developing inter-parliamentary relations. The fact that no reciprocal visits have been paid between the Parliaments of Azerbaijan and Ghana so far witnesses the presence of ample opportunities to develop relations in this area. Then followed an exchange of views regarding the issues of arranging reciprocal visits, putting on more contacts amongst parliamentary delegations and exchanging legislative experience.

Also, the issue of broadening economic links was brought up during the conversation. It was said that the current volume of trade is not wholly adequate to the economic potentials of the two countries. They underlined the importance of broadening trade and investment relations, looking into opportunities to promote co-operation in energy, agriculture and other sectors of joint interest. It was said that the draft Protocol of Intentions about co-operation in the energy sector could facilitate the growth of relations in that area.

President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama observed that his country attaches great significance to developing the relations with Azerbaijan. He stressed that expansion of inter-parliamentary connections, reciprocal visits and diversely-sectored co-operation will serve the on-going strengthening of the bilateral relations.

The present state of co-operation in education and humanitarian affairs was broached as opinions were exchanged. It was said that Ghanaian students’ engagement in Azerbaijan’s scholarship programmes and Ghanaian diplomats’ attendance of the ADA University training sessions and courses are positive examples of the two countries’ humanitarian links. Then, they reviewed opportunities to continue broadening the co-operation in those fields.

The meeting also saw an exchange of views regarding other matters of interest to both sides.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis