Jüri Ratas discussed strengthening of bilateral relations with his Azerbaijan counterpart    

NordenBladet —

President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova spoke of strengthening the meaningful bilateral relations both at sectoral and parliamentary level.  

According to Ratas, the relations between Estonia and Azerbaijan are excellent and friendly. “We have long traditions of cooperation in IT and education, but they could be more substantial and closer,” Ratas said.

Gafarova and Ratas both underlined the need to strengthen parliamentary relations, and exchange of experience as well as meaningful cooperation in different fields, from cooperation in education and cooperation between universities to economic and environmental connections and the strengthening of digital cooperation. The development of relations at the European Union level to ensure energy security was also considered important.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan recalled that the relations between the two countries had been excellent already since the restoration of independence of both countries. April of this year will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Azerbaijan.

Deputy Chairman of the Estonia-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group Mihhail Korb, who participated in the meeting, pointed out that there were around 2000 Azerbaijanis in Estonia, who were actively engaged in cultural exchanges between the two countries.  

Deputy Chair of the Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Helmen Kütt acknowledged the warm relations between the people and expressed hope that Estonia would be able share its experience in social and health care, like its achievements in e-Health.

Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia