Moscow, Baku discuss cultural, humanitarian ties

Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis (Parliament), has held a meeting with Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia, during which the sides discussed cultural and humanitarian ties between the two peoples.

The dialogue took place on the sidelines of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, where both sides stressed the importance of further expanding ties, Caliber.Az reports.

According to the Milli Majlis, Gafarova highlighted the broad potential for further development of relations between the two countries, emphasising the current effective cooperation between parliamentarians both bilaterally and within international organisations.

Matviyenko, referring to the joint statement by the foreign ministries of Russia and Azerbaijan regarding the crash of an Azerbaijani aircraft near Aktau on December 25, 2024, stressed the importance of addressing the consequences of the tragedy and once again expressed condolences.

She also thanked Azerbaijan for assisting in the safe evacuation of Russian citizens from Iran amid the ongoing conflict there.

Matviyenko recalled her meetings with President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, expressing satisfaction with the level of Azerbaijan–Russia relations and noting the important role of the heads of state in developing bilateral cooperation.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov