Baku, May 7, 2026 – The Europe Today: The First Summit of Speakers and Presidents of Parliament of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Member and Partner States was held in Budva, bringing together parliamentary leaders to discuss interparliamentary cooperation, peace, and regional stability.
Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova, participated in the summit and addressed the gathering, describing PAM as an important platform for dialogue, parliamentary cooperation, and the promotion of peace and stability over the past two decades.
In her remarks, Gafarova noted that although Azerbaijan is not geographically located in the Mediterranean region, the country maintains strong ties with both the Mediterranean and Gulf regions. She highlighted Azerbaijan’s contribution to energy security through diversified energy routes and emphasized its active role in strengthening East–West transport connections, particularly the Middle Corridor, which supports regional cooperation and economic resilience.
Underscoring the increasing importance of parliaments in international relations, the Azerbaijani Speaker said parliamentary diplomacy complements traditional diplomacy by fostering dialogue, transparency, and mutual trust. She stressed that parliamentary diplomacy should remain inclusive, based on international law and democratic principles, and continue to serve as a platform for constructive engagement even amid differences.
“The Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan supports this approach and places special emphasis on cooperation within multilateral parliamentary platforms,” Gafarova stated.
She also welcomed the decision to grant observer status to the Azerbaijani and Armenian parliaments, describing it as a positive step toward dialogue and confidence-building between the two countries following decades of conflict. According to Gafarova, both sides are learning to coexist peacefully as ongoing peace and normalization efforts continue.
The Speaker further noted that the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia are working to strengthen trust between their peoples, adding that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean could emerge as another significant platform for constructive cooperation.
Highlighting Azerbaijan’s active participation in international parliamentary initiatives, Gafarova emphasized that stronger interparliamentary cooperation would contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development at both regional and global levels.
