Rome, January 23, 2025 – The Europe Today: As part of her official visit to Italy, Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, met with Lorenzo Fontana, President of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies. The meeting centered on strengthening bilateral and interparliamentary relations between the two countries.
Lorenzo Fontana expressed his optimism that Gafarova’s visit would further enhance the interparliamentary ties between Azerbaijan and Italy. He emphasized Italy’s commitment to fostering these relations, underscoring the importance Italy places on its partnership with Azerbaijan. Fontana also highlighted Azerbaijan’s growing stature as a stable and strong country, praising its progress in various domains.
Gafarova, in turn, noted that this visit marked her second official trip to Italy, reflecting Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to its relations with the Italian parliament. She described Italy as one of Azerbaijan’s closest partners, with bilateral ties advancing in the spirit of friendship and mutual cooperation.
Both officials agreed on the vital role that political contacts, high-level visits, and meetings play in elevating bilateral relations. They specifically acknowledged the reciprocal visits of the two countries’ presidents, which have significantly enhanced their diplomatic and economic collaboration.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation in strengthening both bilateral and multilateral relations. Gafarova and Fontana commended the active participation of Italian parliamentarians in various significant events in Azerbaijan and stressed the importance of cooperation between the friendship groups of both countries.
Additionally, the discussions touched upon the expanding ties in the fields of education, science, and culture. Both leaders recognized the contribution of cultural exchanges, particularly initiatives by Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Italy, in fostering deeper people-to-people relations.
Gafarova extended an invitation to Fontana to visit Azerbaijan, a gesture he gratefully accepted. The meeting concluded with a discussion on regional developments and other matters of mutual interest, marking another step in strengthening the longstanding partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy.
