01 February 2024 14:51

On 1 February 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, received the delegation led by the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Martin Chungong.

During the meeting, prospects for the development of the existing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as the current situation in the region, were discussed.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the Inter-Parliamentary Union has an important mandate in terms of contributing to networking, exchange of views and the establishment of contacts among parliaments of various countries, and stated that Azerbaijan also actively participates in the activities of the Union. It was noted that there are broad prospects for cooperation between the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the NAM Parliamentary Network established during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and that the 148th Assembly of the Union to be held in Geneva in March of this year would be useful in terms of discussing cooperation opportunities in this direction.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, noting that Azerbaijan will host in 2024 the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which is the largest event of the United Nations system, provided detailed information on the preparatory work carried out in this direction, and expressed hope that the Inter-Parliamentary Union will closely participate in the event.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, providing the other side with detailed information on the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, the restoration and reconstruction works carried out in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, as well as peace initiatives, stated that following the local anti-terror measures conducted in the Garabagh region last year, visits of representatives of the United Nations and a number of other international organizations to the region were organized for the first time in 30 years. Despite this position demonstrated by Azerbaijan, it was noted that certain international organizations that had shown inactivity during the period of occupation and conflict are undermining the current normalization agenda. It was brought to attention that the recent step taken by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe against Azerbaijan is also assessed as another manifestation of such double standards.

Secretary General Martin Chungong expressed satisfaction with his next visit to Azerbaijan and stated that the Inter-Parliamentary Union is interested in further developing cooperation with Azerbaijan. The Secretary General, noting his confidence in Azerbaijan’s successful presidency as the host of COP29 this year, stated that the establishment of close contacts with previous presidencies regarding the organization of the said event demonstrates Azerbaijan’s systematic approach to the work carried out.

During the meeting, detailed views were also exchanged on other issues of mutual interest.