Lisbon: The 1st Summit of Speakers of Parliaments of member and partner countries of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean took place today, as reported by the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis to APA. Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova, was in attendance.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Sahiba Gafarova highlighted in her speech the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean's 20-year history as a key platform for fostering interparliamentary cooperation, dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared responsibility for peace and stability in the strategically vital region.

Gafarova emphasized Azerbaijan's longstanding ties and constructive relations with Mediterranean basin and Gulf countries, despite not being geographically part of the Mediterranean region. Azerbaijan's contribution to regional and international energy security through the diversification of energy routes and supplies was also underscored.

The Speaker noted Azerbaijan's active role in enhancing transport connectivity between East and West, particularly through the Middle Corridor, which bolsters cooperation and economic resilience. She welcomed the Assembly's decision to grant observer status to the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, viewing it as a step towards fostering dialogue and confidence-building between the two nations.

Gafarova reiterated the shared efforts of both countries' parliaments in building trust post-conflict, advocating for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean as a potential platform for constructive collaboration. Additionally, she stressed the significance of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.