Baku: Azerbaijani Parliamentary Speaker Sahiba Gafarova met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska on January 22 to discuss the ongoing cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO. The discussions underscored the significant role the Alliance plays in global peace and security, marking over 30 years of collaboration.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the meeting emphasized the critical importance of the political dialogue between Azerbaijan and NATO. Both parties referenced President Ilham Aliyev's visit to NATO Headquarters and former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's visit to Azerbaijan in 2024 as pivotal events that have strengthened the partnership. Regular bilateral contacts have further fueled the momentum of this cooperation.

The discussions also highlighted Azerbaijan's significant contribution to NATO's energy security, with Azerbaijan supplying natural gas to 10 NATO member states and two partner countries. Speaker Gafarova pointed out Azerbaijan's essential transit role in the Middle Corridor, which plays a crucial part in promoting stability and cooperation in the region.

In the context of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, Gafarova noted Azerbaijan's restored sovereignty under President Aliyev's leadership, which has led to new regional realities. She stressed Azerbaijan's commitment to the peace agenda and the practical steps taken to foster cooperation with Armenia after the Washington Summit.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Shekerinska reiterated the importance of developing relations with Azerbaijan and praised the close political dialogue between both sides. She expressed confidence in further enhancing these ties through the new Partnership Program and congratulated Azerbaijan on its progress in normalizing relations with Armenia.

The meeting also reviewed the significance of the relations between the Milli Majlis and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, exploring prospects for future cooperation.