Parliament speaker details Azerbaijan’s TÜRKPA achievements at Astana summit

Azerbaijan took all necessary steps to reinforce inter-parliamentary ties among the member states of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TÜRKPA) during its term as chair of the organisation, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova stated at a TÜRKPA Council meeting in Astana.

Gafarova delivered a comprehensive speech summarising Azerbaijan’s work over the past year as she formally transferred the chairmanship of TÜRKPA to Kazakhstan, Caliber.Az reports, citing domestic media.

“In the period that has passed, every effort was made to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations and further intensify the activities of TÜRKPA,” Gafarova said, outlining the scope of Azerbaijan’s contributions during its tenure.

She expressed confidence that the exchange of views and the decisions made at the Council meeting would significantly contribute to the achievement of the organisation’s strategic objectives. “I am confident that the discussions and decisions at this meeting will make a meaningful contribution to advancing our strategic goals,” she said.

“TÜRKPA fundamentally differs from other international platforms,” Gafarova emphasised, “because it brings together representatives of brotherly peoples who share common roots and embrace the same national and spiritual values.”

She went on to note that cooperation among these brotherly nations is deepening with each passing day, and the effective work of TÜRKPA provides essential parliamentary backing to the expansion of unity and solidarity among the member states.

According to Gafarova, TÜRKPA also plays an important role in ensuring that the Turkic world’s unified voice is heard across global parliamentary platforms. “The organisation also creates opportunities for the united position of the Turkic world to be heard on international parliamentary platforms,” she said.

“The Azerbaijani side strictly adhered to the Activity Plan approved at the 13th meeting of the Council,” she noted. “Throughout the reporting period, regular sessions of permanent commissions were held, and systematic efforts continued to harmonise the legislation of member countries.”

"A lot of effort was devoted to developing model laws, which are an important part of the process of forming a single legal space,” she stressed.

In addition to legislative work, Azerbaijan also actively supported the organisation’s role in election and referendum observation missions. “Moreover, work in monitoring elections and referendums was successfully carried out, contributing to strengthened cooperation and the continued development of democratic electoral traditions,” Gafarova said.

The Milli Majlis speaker commended the work of TÜRKPA’s specialised groups, in particular the Women Parliamentarians Group and the Young Parliamentarians Group. She gave high praise to both, describing their activities as valuable and impactful.

Gafarova also highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between the administrative offices of member parliaments. She especially emphasised the importance of interaction among the parliamentary administrations to expand practical cooperation and the exchange of experience.

“During the Milli Majlis’s chairmanship, successful work continued to develop and strengthen TÜRKPA’s international ties, as well as to further improve relations with other organisations,” she added.

“TÜRKPA, as an organisation for parliamentary cooperation, plays a special role in protecting and promoting our common interests on international platforms through parliamentary diplomacy,” Gafarova concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova