BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 16. Jeyhun
Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, discussed the development of Azerbaijani-African
relations with a delegation led by Fateh Boutbig, President of the
Pan-African Parliament, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan.
This was reflected in a statement published by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, following the meeting between the
sides on September 16.
Welcoming the guests, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that
relations between Azerbaijan and African countries have been
developing dynamically in recent years. In this regard, he
emphasized the importance of mutual visits, political
consultations, and interparliamentary relations in the context of
expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It was noted that
Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to developing relations
with the African continent.
Information was provided on the measures taken by Azerbaijan to
intensify mutual visits to African countries and identify new
opportunities for cooperation in various fields.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted the efforts of the
Azerbaijani Parliament to develop parliamentary diplomacy,
strengthen ties with the parliaments of African countries, and
expand cooperation with the Pan-African Parliament. It was noted
that the memorandum of understanding signed between the Azerbaijani
Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament is of great
significance.
The parties also exchanged views on Azerbaijan’s chairmanship
and its activities in international and regional forums. Minister
Jeyhun Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan has made a significant
contribution to the institutional development of the Non-Aligned
Movement during its chairmanship. In this context, the importance
of establishing the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network and
Youth Organization — both initiated by Azerbaijan — as well as
strengthening solidarity and mutual support within the Movement was
emphasized.
The initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan to strengthen
international solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic were
outlined. It was noted that Azerbaijan has provided financial and
humanitarian assistance to more than 80 nations, most of which are
members of the Non-Aligned Movement, as part of the fight against
the pandemic, and has also allocated funds to support recovery
efforts in Africa and small island developing states in the
post-pandemic period. In addition, the adoption of a resolution on
the equitable distribution of vaccines was recalled.
In addition, it was noted that, as part of Azerbaijan’s
presidency of COP29, efforts are underway to expand access to
climate finance for developing countries, including African
nations, and the significance of the decisions adopted in Baku was
emphasized.
During the meeting, the other side was briefed on Azerbaijan’s
role in the region, the measures being taken to ensure peace and
security in the South Caucasus, and the new realities that have
emerged in the region following the end of the former
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about the large-scale restoration
and reconstruction efforts underway following the liberation of
Azerbaijani territories from occupation.
Additionally, it was noted that Azerbaijan’s cooperation with
African countries is not limited to the political and diplomatic
spheres and that there is significant potential for collaboration
in areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture, mining,
education, humanitarian affairs, and other fields. The importance
of Azerbaijan’s support for educational and medical programs in
Africa, as well as for institutional capacity building, was
emphasized.
Fateh Boutbig, President of the Pan-African Parliament, highly
commended the importance Azerbaijan attaches to developing ties
with the African continent, as well as the initiatives it is
implementing to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and multilateral
cooperation.
Throughout the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on
other issues of mutual interest.
