Co-Chairmen of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Sajjad Karim and Samad Seyidov

The European Parliament delegation comprised Sajjad Karim (ECR), Heidi Hautala (Greens/EFA), Alberto Cirio (EPP), Andrejs Mamikins (S&D), Ramona Manescu (EPP) and Iveta Grigule (ALDE). The Milli Majlis delegation comprised Samad Seydov, Fuad Muradov, Javanshir Feyfiyev, Uliviyya Agayeva and Asim Mollazade.
 
The PCC had not met since 2012. The primary aim of this meeting was to restore and facilitate future dialogue to constructively review the current basis of relationship between the European Parliament with Milli Majlis and the direct implications of this on EU-Azerbaijan relations. With a view to have open dialogue, meetings also took place with Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ogtay Asadov, Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Mr. Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Deputy Foreign Minister and Mr. Shahin Mustafayev, Minister of Economy.
 
The PCC and all other interactions provided an opportunity for areas of mutual shared understandings to be explored and areas where disagreement had occurred to be examined and views of both sides shared.
 
The PCC Co-Chairs welcome the open, critical and constructive expression of viewpoint by President Aliyev. Particular note is made of European Parliament resolution 2015/2840(RSP) of 10 September 2015 and Milli Majlis resolution dated 14 September 2015 and their consequences for the relations between the European Parliament and Milli Majlis. The delegation of the European Parliament regrets that for one year no dialogue took place between the European Parliament and Milli Majlis. Both sides hope moves to restore normal dialogue can be undertaken expeditiously.
 
Co-Chairs are equally committed to ensure that circumstances do not arise again whereby dialogue between the European Parliament and Milli Majlis is interrupted on any future occasion.
 
We clearly understand all the geopolitical realities and challenges that Azerbaijan faces today, notably the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh conflict and we have honour to clearly express that the European Parliament fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, as stated by the European Parliament in its resolutions of 20 May 2010 and 23 October 2013 and UN Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of 1993.
 
Co-Chairs appreciate the recent efforts and engagement of Euronest Parliamentary Assembly to re-engage Milli Majlis. Co-Chairs call upon Euronest to review and reform their procedures to facilitate the Milli Majlis engagement on the basis of mutual respect, equality and understanding.
Co-Chairs stand ready to assist to this end.

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