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For Latvia, Azerbaijan is an important partner country in the South Caucasus, and while we have a successful political dialogue, this is not yet reflected in the volume of our mutual trade. We see promising opportunities to expand economic cooperation, as well as to develop contacts between municipalities and cooperation between universities, said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, when meeting with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, and Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Parliament (Milli Majlis), in Baku on Monday, 20 May.
Speaker Mieriņa called for cooperation in the agricultural sector and highlighted the interest of Latvian food producers in expanding exports. The Speaker also proposed using the experience of Latvian foresters for the afforestation of the Karabakh region. Latvia sees prospects in transport and logistics, including the development of cargo transport from Riga Airport. The planned direct AirBaltic flights between Riga and Baku also offer opportunities for further cooperation.
Regarding the security situation in the region, the Speaker of the Saeima highly appreciated the Azerbaijani government's commitment to the peace process and the peace talks it has started with Armenia. Speaker Mieriņa emphasised the importance of achieving stability and lasting peace in the region, affirming strong support for Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
This year, Latvia and Azerbaijan celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, but the ties between our peoples date back more than 100 years, noted Speaker Mieriņa. The Caucasus has been a source of inspiration for many Latvians, with numerous writers and artists significant to Latvia’s culture having spent considerable time in Azerbaijan.
The Parliament Speakers expressed their interest in deepening cooperation between the Saeima and the Milli Majlis through strengthening dialogue between the sectoral committees.
They also discussed the geopolitical impact and challenges caused by Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. Speaker Mieriņa stressed that Russia is undermining the international rules-based order and seeking to irreversibly change the security environment and impose its own rules, which must not be permitted. Changes to international borders by military force must not be accepted and are a clear violation of the UN Charter. The Speaker of the Saeima thanked Azerbaijan for the humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine.
During her visit, Speaker Mieriņa also met with Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan. The Saeima delegation visited the municipalities of Fuzuli and Shusha in the Karabakh region and observed the progress in the reconstruction of infrastructure.
From 18 to 22 May, the Speaker of the Saeima and the accompanying delegation are visiting Azerbaijan to strengthen bilateral relations and economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. Speaker Mieriņa is accompanied by Raimonds Bergmanis, Chair of the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, Oļegs Burovs, Chair of the Public Administration and Local Government Committee, and Ainars Latkovskis, Chair of the National Security Committee.
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Saeima Press Service