Sahiba Gafarova: Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia will always be the most friendly

Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have always been, are, and will continue to be the most friendly, stated Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, during a meeting with Valentina Matviyenko, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia, on the sidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Istanbul.

“I believe that the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have always been, are, and will be the most friendly. And the fact that they are developing today is very gratifying,” the Speaker said. She conveyed greetings from President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Matviyenko.

Touching on the development of Azerbaijani-Russian economic ties, Gafarova emphasized that they are “very difficult to catch up with and surpass.” The Speaker noted that members of the Azerbaijani parliament are doing everything to foster cooperation both bilaterally and on international parliamentary platforms, including within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS member states. “I am proud to note that the members of our delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly actively participate in all meetings and committees <…>, and, undoubtedly, this will continue,” said the Azerbaijani Speaker.

Gafarova reported that preparations have already begun for the next meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation, which will take place in Baku.

The previous meeting of the commission was held in December 2025 in Moscow.

Source: TASS