Baku: Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova, met with the Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia, Tagesse Chaffo, during her visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The meeting aimed to enhance the cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two nations.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Tagesse Chaffo emphasized the importance Ethiopia places on its relations with Azerbaijan, noting that Gafarova’s visit is expected to further deepen these ties. Gafarova reciprocated by highlighting the significance Azerbaijan places on its relationship with Ethiopia.
The meeting recalled the visits of Ethiopian President Taye Atske Sellassie and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Azerbaijan, where they engaged in discussions with President Ilham Aliyev on advancing bilateral cooperation. The visit by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, to Ethiopia in January 2026 was also mentioned as a pivotal moment in their diplomatic relations.
Both sides recognized broad opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as tourism, business, mutual investment, culture, and humanitarian efforts. They pointed out the successful implementation of the ASAN Khidmet model in Ethiopia, viewing it as a symbol of Azerbaijan’s influence and cooperation in the nation.
The meeting also included a comprehensive exchange of views on strengthening interparliamentary relations. Gafarova extended an invitation to Tagesse Chaffo to visit Azerbaijan, which he accepted with gratitude. The discussion highlighted the potential for further collaboration between their parliaments, with a focus on parliamentary committees and administrative bodies.
The Ethiopian Speaker mentioned ongoing legislative reforms in Ethiopia and expressed interest in learning from Azerbaijan’s experience. Both parties stressed the importance of collaboration within international organizations such as the UN, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement.