Speaker of Azerbaijani parliament Sahiba Gafarova is expected to highlight Azerbaijan’s positions on various global and regional issues during the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan this week.

Gafarova participated in the opening ceremony of the event, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

The event saw several prominent figures address the assembly, including Speaker of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva, President of the IPU Tulia Ackson and Secretary-General of the IPU Martin Chungong. In their speeches, they welcomed the delegates and discussed the significance of the issues on the Assembly’s agenda.

The 150th Assembly is a significant milestone for the IPU, a global organization that facilitates collaboration between national parliaments. Among the key topics of discussion at this year’s gathering are international cooperation, peace-building efforts, and strengthening democratic institutions.

In addition to her participation in the Assembly, Gafarova is holding meetings with the heads of legislative bodies from other countries, seeking to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance parliamentary cooperation on various fronts.

During her official visit to Uzbekistan, Gafarova held a productive meeting with Speaker of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) Amir Ohana. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the ongoing successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Israel.

They specifically highlighted the expanding cooperation in key sectors such as economics, trade, and energy. The parliament speakers also acknowledged the crucial role high-level visits and meetings play in strengthening and deepening their bilateral ties.

In their discussions, the importance of the cooperation between the legislative bodies of both nations was emphasized, with both parties agreeing that mutual visits and constructive dialogues are essential in furthering their partnership. Gafarova also took the opportunity to speak about Azerbaijan’s strong traditions of tolerance and multiculturalism.

She emphasized that representatives from diverse communities, including the Jewish community, live harmoniously in Azerbaijan, fostering an environment of peace and mutual understanding. She further highlighted the longstanding friendly relations between Azerbaijanis and Jews, which have been a cornerstone of their cultural coexistence.

Additionally, both leaders discussed the contributions of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Israel, as well as Azerbaijani-Jewish communities residing in Israel, who continue playing an instrumental role in strengthening bilateral relations. Ohana thanked the Azerbaijani government for its commitment to preserving the values of peace, coexistence, and mutual respect. He also expressed his satisfaction with the solid and growing relationship between Israel and Azerbaijan.

The meeting concluded with both parliament speakers exchanging views on a range of other matters of mutual interest, reinforcing their shared commitment to furthering cooperation and fostering closer ties between their countries.

By Naila Huseynova

Source: caliber.az