Qatar seeks to expand interparliamentary ties with Azerbaijan

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has met with Speaker of the Consultative Assembly of the State of Qatar Hassan bin Abdulla Al-Ghanim who had arrived in Baku to participate in the 20th Session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States.

Report informs, citing the Press Service of Milli Majlis, that contentment was expressed at the meeting with the progress of the links between Azerbaijan and Qatar in various areas. The role of reciprocal visits and meetings in the continued expansion of the relations was pointed out as well.

It was emphasised during the conversation that Azerbaijan and the State of Qatar also co-operate in various regional and international organisations. They mentioned the interaction between the two countries in the frameworks of the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

The high level of the ties between the two Parliaments was mentioned with satisfaction at the meeting. It was observed that the Parliament of Qatar takes a close part in the work of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network established at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova remarked that Azerbaijan has always approached all countries" territorial integrity with respect. She brought up Azerbaijan's support for the peace agenda to keep tranquillity in the South Caucasus against the backdrop of the events unfolding around the region.

The Speaker of the Consultative Assembly of the State of Qatar expressed gratitude for the hospitality and underlined the significance of the 20th Session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States held in Baku. He noted that this important event was an advantageous platform for discussion of regional and international issues as well as for the continued development of bilateral ties between the Organisation's Member States. The Speaker of the Consultative Assembly offered congratulations on the transfer of the chairmanship in the Organisation to Azerbaijan. He indicated his assuredness that the work of the PUIC would become stronger during Azerbaijan's chairmanship term.

The guest mentioned the successful work of the bilateral inter-governmental commission on economic, trade and technical areas.

He also underlined the active involvement of the Milli Majlis delegations with regional and international organisations and indicated his side"s intention to broaden the inter-parliamentary relations with Azerbaijan.

The guest said during the conversation that they appreciated highly the restoration and rebuilding work that goes on in the de-occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

The meeting also saw an exchange of opinions about other issues of joint interest.