Chair of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova had a meeting on 2 June with Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Şentop who had arrived in Azerbaijan to take part in the 7^th International Congress of Social Sciences ‘INCSOS-Garabagh’.

Mrs Gafarova welcomed the Turkish colleague and stressed the utmost importance of the congress held under the joint patronage of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Turkey in terms of bringing more strength into the joint activities of the two countries’ academic circles and into also the co-operation amongst our universities and research communities. It is as important that the congress is dedicated to Garabagh thematically, because it is essential that the Garabagh realia are highlit by the scientific community and are reflected in academic literature, Mrs Gafarova continued.

She thanked Professor, Dr Şentop for the initiative to organise this congress as well as for his strong backing to this undertaking.

The current level of the relations between the brotherly Azerbaijan and Turkey comes as yet another manifestation of their unity. This solidarity was demonstrated very vividly by the unequivocal political and moral support of the brotherly Turkey to Azerbaijan at the time of the 44 days’ Patriotic War, too.

Incidentally, the first anniversary of yet another remarkable event will be marked on the 15^th day of the current month: that of the signing of the Shusha Declaration of Alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The bilateral relations have reached their zenith with the signing of that document in the cultural capital of Azerbaijan thanks to the resolve and willpower of the two states’ leaders. Apart from reflecting the very essence of our friendship and fraternity, the Declaration also defines the new goals and tasks await us yet.

The leader of the GNAT Mustafa Şentop said his thanks for the cordial welcome and said that the parliaments representing the respective peoples, too, affirmed the political wills of the heads of our states unanimously.

The connexions between Azerbaijan and Turkey as they stand right now are based on the ‘one nation – two states’ principle formulated by the National Leader of the Azerbaijanis Heydar Aliyev. Beyond any doubt, the Azerbaijani-Turkish relations will develop further and become yet more powerful eventually, Mr Şentop remarked with conviction.

As regards the 7^th International Congress of Social Sciences, its discussions are bound to add to the strength of the work the scientists of the two countries are doing and will also prove useful in terms of reviewing the topics of gravity to our states and peoples, according to the leader of the GNAT who proceeded to thank the Azerbaijani side for the high level of the conduct of the congress.

Other matters of concern to both sides were discussed, too, as the conversation drew on.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis