Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has met with a visiting delegation led by the President of the Pan-African Parliament, Fateh Butbiq.

Operativ Media reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Welcoming the guests, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that relations between Azerbaijan and African countries have developed dynamically in recent years. In this regard, the sides emphasized the importance of mutual visits, political consultations, and interparliamentary ties in expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It was noted that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to developing relations with the African continent.

The delegation was briefed on the measures taken by Azerbaijan to intensify mutual visits with African countries and identify new opportunities for cooperation in various fields.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted the efforts of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan to develop parliamentary diplomacy, strengthen ties with the parliaments of African countries, and expand cooperation with the Pan-African Parliament. The memorandum of understanding signed between the Milli Majlis and the Pan-African Parliament was described as highly significant.

The sides also exchanged views on Azerbaijan's chairmanship and activities in international and regional platforms. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov stated that during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Azerbaijan made significant contributions to the institutional development of the Movement. In this context, the sides emphasized the importance of establishing the NAM Parliamentary Network and Youth Organization at Azerbaijan's initiative, as well as strengthening solidarity and mutual support within the Movement.

Information was provided on the initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan to strengthen international solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was noted that as part of the fight against the pandemic, Azerbaijan provided financial and humanitarian assistance to more than 80 countries, most of them NAM members, and allocated funds to support recovery processes in Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the post-pandemic period. Additionally, the adoption of a resolution on the equitable distribution of vaccines was recalled.

The sides noted the work carried out under Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency to expand access to climate finance for developing countries, including African nations, and highlighted the significance of the decisions adopted in Baku.

During the meeting, the delegation was briefed on Azerbaijan's role in its region, the measures taken to ensure peace and security in the South Caucasus, and the new realities that have emerged in the region following the former Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about the large-scale restoration and reconstruction work carried out following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from occupation.

It was noted that Azerbaijan's cooperation with African countries is not limited to the political and diplomatic spheres, but that there is great potential for cooperation in energy, transport, agriculture, mining, education, humanitarian, and other fields. The importance of Azerbaijan's support for educational and medical programs, as well as institutional capacity building in Africa, was emphasized.

The President of the Pan-African Parliament, Fateh Butbiq, highly appreciated the importance Azerbaijan attaches to developing relations with the African continent, as well as its initiatives to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

The meeting also featured an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.