On September 3, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan.

Axar.az reports according to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, the meeting focused on issues on the cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, existing security challenges in the OSCE area, the situation in the region, as well as the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agenda.

Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan attaches importance to cooperation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and that interparliamentary dialogue plays an important role in promoting mutual understanding, trust and cooperation across the OSCE area. In this context, the contribution of the Azerbaijani Parliament’s activities within the OSCE PA, mutual visits and meetings held at various levels to the development of relations was highlighted.

Minister Bayramov briefed his counterpart on Azerbaijan’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region. Azerbaijan’s position on the progress achieved in normalizing Azerbaijan-Armenia relations and advancing the peace agenda was conveyed.

Among other issues, the minister addressed humanitarian issues in the region during the post-conflict period, noting that the mine threat remains a serious danger to Azerbaijan. It was noted that, in addition to endangering human lives, landmine explosions hinder reconstruction and redevelopment efforts in the liberated territories, the return of internally displaced persons to their native lands, and regional development.

The minister also stressed that determining the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis who remain missing is an important humanitarian issue.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on Azerbaijan’s contribution to regional and broader international energy security. Information was provided on Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable energy partner in ensuring Europe’s energy security, projects aimed at diversifying energy sources and routes, as well as initiatives in the field of green energy.

Azerbaijan’s contribution to developing regional connectivity as a country located at the crossroads of transport corridors was noted. The importance of developing the Middle Corridor, expanding transport and logistics opportunities linking Europe and Central Asia via the Caspian Sea, and opening regional communications for peace, stability and economic development was emphasized.

The meeting also touched on the growing dynamics of Azerbaijan’s strategic partnership with Central Asian countries. It was noted that the transformation of the C5 format into the C6 format creates new opportunities for cooperation.

The sides also exchanged views on current challenges in the OSCE area and other regional and international issues of mutual interest.