The meeting began with a discussion on past reciprocal visits of the presidents, parliamentary delegations and ministers, which strengthened understanding and encouraged cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan. National Assembly Deputy Speaker Marina Ragus stressed that the Foreign Affairs Committee, headed by her, will very soon establish a Friendship Group with Azerbaijan, which a large number of MPs have already shown special interest in.

The officials confirmed both sides’ unwavering support for territorial integrity and sovereignty, with the development of economic cooperation, strategic partnership that the two countries signed in 2013, as well as intensification of cooperation and visits at the parliamentary level receiving special attention in the discussion. Ragus used the opportunity to congratulate Azerbaijan on its role as host of the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference and the Ambassador also spoke about the parliamentary elections that await Azerbaijan in the coming months. Ragus said that the National Assembly expects a full term of office and that a calendar of its activities is being prepared, which also aims to plan bilateral meetings at the level of the Foreign Affairs Committee and parliamentary delegations. She emphasised that, under the leadership of National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic, the current legislature’s is placing special focus on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and concluded that bilateral ties are of essential importance in the current geopolitically very challenging times.

At the end of the meeting, the officials agreed that they will continue to foster strong and positive parliamentary and political relations, built on mutual respect, strategic partnership and support for the two countries’ vital interests.