Azerbaijan and UAE Leaders Explore Collaborative Opportunities
Strengthening Ties: Azerbaijani and UAE Parliament Leaders Meet
On May 6, Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, engaged in discussions with Saqr Ghobash, the Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council, during her official visit to the United Arab Emirates. This meeting marks a significant effort to enhance the relationship between the two nations and their respective legislative bodies.
In their discussions, Speaker Ghobash expressed optimism about the potential for this visit to further cement ties between Azerbaijan and the UAE. He emphasized the UAE’s commitment to fostering deeper relations with Azerbaijan, particularly in the realm of economic cooperation, which he praised for its positive outcomes.
This visit was Gafarova’s inaugural trip to the UAE in her capacity as Speaker, and she highlighted the enduring historical, religious, and cultural connections between the two countries. Both leaders acknowledged that the strength of their relationships is rooted in mutual respect, trust, and support, further reinforced through high-level reciprocal visits and joint efforts by their leaders.
The dialogue also touched upon collaboration within international organizations, where both sides noted their effective partnership in entities like the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Gafarova pointed out the significance of the NAM Parliamentary Network, an initiative championed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, which has bolstered the organization’s institutional development and amplified its international influence. She welcomed the engagement of UAE parliamentarians in NAM events, underscoring the importance of participation from both countries.
In recognition of Gafarova’s re-election as Chair of the NAM Parliamentary Network, Speaker Ghobash extended his congratulations, underscoring the network’s vital role amid rising global polarization.
Both speakers acknowledged the productive inter-parliamentary relations that have developed through mutual respect, which aligns with the broader bilateral relationship. Gafarova recalled previous fruitful meetings with Ghobash and noted that such interactions, including reciprocal visits, have significantly contributed to fostering warm diplomatic relations. The importance of friendship groups was also emphasized as a means to enhance inter-parliamentary connections, with Gafarova expressing gratitude for UAE parliamentarians’ consistent participation in international events hosted by the Milli Majlis.
The session concluded with discussions about the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan’s presidency of COP29 and the UAE’s leadership of COP28. The involvement of UAE parliamentarians in the COP29 Parliamentary Meeting was noted as a platform for valuable experience exchange and collaboration between the two nations.
As both countries continue to develop their partnership, the momentum generated by these discussions offers a promising glimpse into a future of enhanced collaboration and mutual support on the global stage.
