Baku: Qatar has expressed its intention to expand inter-parliamentary relations with Azerbaijan, as highlighted during a meeting between Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis, and Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanim, Speaker of the Shura Council of Qatar. The meeting coincided with Al-Ghanim's visit to Azerbaijan for the 20th Session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC).

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, both sides applauded the positive trajectory of relations between Azerbaijan and Qatar across multiple sectors. They emphasized the importance of high-level visits and meetings in furthering these ties. The discussion also underscored the robust cooperation between the two countries within regional and international organizations, with both nations supporting each other in platforms such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The officials acknowledged the strong interaction between their respective parliaments, noting Qatar's active participation in the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, an initiative led by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. Speaker Gafarova reiterated Azerbaijan's commitment to respecting the territorial integrity of nations and backing the regional peace agenda for long-term stability in the South Caucasus.

Al-Ghanim expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and highlighted the strategic importance of the 20th PUIC Conference. He viewed the forum as essential for discussing regional and international issues and fostering bilateral relations among member states. Congratulating Azerbaijan on its new chairmanship, he voiced confidence that the PUIC's scope of activities would broaden under Azerbaijani leadership.

He also noted the successful operations of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Trade, and Technical Cooperation between Qatar and Azerbaijan. Furthermore, Al-Ghanim praised the active involvement of Milli Majlis delegations in international forums and confirmed Qatar's commitment to deepening its inter-parliamentary relations with Azerbaijan.

The Qatari Speaker commended the ongoing reconstruction and restoration efforts in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, acknowledging the progress and initiatives taken by the Azerbaijani government.