President Aliyev outlines key gains in Armenia peace process during IPU meeting PHOTO

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev met with Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Martin Chungong on May 5 to discuss progress in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agenda, the expansion of interparliamentary dialogue, and strategic steps aimed at ensuring long-term regional stability.

During the meeting, the sides recalled with satisfaction previous contacts between the head of state and Martin Chungong, Caliber.Az reports, citing the state media.

The IPU Secretary General congratulated Azerbaijan on the progress achieved in advancing the peace agenda with Armenia, as well as on the full restoration of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations.

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the outcomes achieved in Washington regarding the peace agenda, noting that economic and trade relations between the two countries have already begun and that Azerbaijan has unilaterally lifted restrictions on transit cargo heading to Armenia. He also described his participation via video link in the 8th Summit of the European Political Community held in Yerevan as a historic development in the normalisation of relations between the two countries.

The head of state positively assessed the role of the IPU in facilitating interparliamentary dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including organising regular meetings between the speakers of the two countries’ parliaments to discuss the peace process.

The meeting also underscored the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the IPU. Martin Chungong noted Azerbaijan’s active participation in the organisation’s work and highlighted the country’s contribution to interparliamentary dialogue.

The sides further discussed large-scale reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in the territories liberated from occupation, as well as Azerbaijan’s mine problem and the obstacles posed by landmines to civilians and reconstruction activities. An exchange of views was held on the current state of cooperation, future prospects, and the development of interparliamentary dialogue.