Baku, October 16, 2025 – The Europe Today: Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with participants of the 67th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Judges (IAJ), which brought together representatives of national judges’ associations from around 100 countries.
Welcoming the guests at the Milli Majlis, Gafarova emphasized the IAJ’s crucial role as a global platform for dialogue, cooperation, and the exchange of judicial experience. She noted the symbolic importance of holding this year’s meeting in Azerbaijan, as 2025 has been declared the “Year of Constitution and Sovereignty” by President Ilham Aliyev.
Recalling a key milestone in the nation’s history, the Speaker highlighted that Azerbaijan’s Constitution, adopted in 1995 under the leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, established the principle of separation of powers, ensuring the independence and mutual interaction of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Gafarova also briefed participants on the historical evolution of Azerbaijan’s parliament and its role in promoting democratic governance and the rule of law.
Head of the Milli Majlis Administration Farid Hajiyev discussed ongoing cooperation between the parliament and judicial institutions, noting that the legislature consistently supports initiatives aimed at improving the judicial system. He also provided insights into the rules of procedure of the parliament and the normative-legal framework governing the activities of Members of Parliament.
The session also featured remarks by Sanan Hajiyev, Chairman of the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court, and Walter Barone, President of the International Association of Judges. Both speakers expressed appreciation for Azerbaijan’s comprehensive presentation on its parliamentary powers and legal system, commended the strong collaboration between the judiciary and legislature, and thanked the Azerbaijani side for its warm hospitality and organizational excellence.
