On April 16, Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, met with Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, on the margins of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul, Türkiye.

During the meeting, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova underscored the significance of such international platforms as the IPU and the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network (NAM PN).

Highlighting the great potential for enhancing bilateral ties, she emphasized the role of interparliamentary relations. She noted that the legislative bodies of both countries enjoy fruitful cooperation, with the two parliaments actively collaborating both bilaterally and within international organizations, including the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS).

Valentina Matviyenko stressed the importance of the joint statement regarding the crash of the passenger aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) near the city of Aktau on 25 December 2024, adopted by the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and Russia, and once again extended her condolences over this tragedy.

She also expressed her gratitude to Azerbaijan for facilitating the evacuation of Russian citizens from Iran amid the ongoing military conflict in the region.

The meeting participants praised the existing relations between the two countries, noting the crucial role of both countries’ leaders in boosting these ties.

The discussions also addressed the cultural and humanitarian relations between the Azerbaijani and Russian peoples, and other issues of mutual concern.