As was informed, delegation of the Azerbaijani parliamentarians headed by Murtuz Alaskarov, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic, on the invitation of Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh ibn Abdullah Humeyd al-Malik is on an official visit to this country.

On 16 February, members of the delegation met the Emir of the Riyadh province Emir Salman ibn Andel Aziz. In the course of the meeting, expressing his pleasure with stay in the holy land of Saudi Arabia, Speaker of Milli Majlis said: “I would like to inform on the message sent by the president of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev. As you know the late President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev invited His Majesty the King to pay a visit to Azerbaijan. The message reaffirms the invitation”.

Reminding the friendly relations between the two countries founder of which is the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the Speaker said that in 1994 Heydar Aliyev visited Saudi Arabia. The parties signed an Agreement of mutual development in the spheres as economy, trade, investments, techniques, culture youth, and sports and was adopted a joint Declaration. “Today President Ilham Aliyev worthily continues the political course of Heydar Aliyev Thanks to the planned 5-year activities in the socio-economic sphere, Azerbaijan will achieve much more notable accomplishments”, Speaker stressed.

Then, Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament touched upon the economic links between Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, highly appreciated activity of the joint commission in this field.

Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament stressed the importance of establishment of closer links between Riyadh and Baku. “Our relations are developing. This visit will also give a due impulse to the friendly ties and further strengthening of them. We also highly assess the support that your country renders us on the international arena, in the authoritative organizations connected with the Nagorny Karabakh problem”.

Touching upon the friendly relations between the two countries, Emir of the Riyadh province, Prince Emir Salman ibn Abdel Aziz said: “We regard the people of Azerbaijan with great sympathy. I believe that current visit will promote further strengthening of our relations. Our doors are always open for you”.

Then, Prince Emir Salman ibn Abdel wished Azerbaijan peace and happiness”.

Members of the delegation toured the palaces, reflecting the history of establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On the same day, the delegation met with the Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh ibn Abdullah Humeyd, who emphasized that he was pleased to welcome the delegation of Azerbaijan. He also stressed outstanding contributions of the national leader of Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliyev in establishment of the friendly relations between the two states, wished success to the people of Azerbaijan and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Chairman of the Consultative Council thanked to the Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament for visit and stressed the increasing friendly relations between the two countries.

“Last years, our parliamentary links have acquired a new level and we had a series of mutual visits, as a result of which we have done fruitful work”.

Dr Saleh ibn Abdullah Humeyd assessed the decisions of setting in 2000 by President Heydar Aliyev a joint commission on cooperation between the two countries as an extremely useful step.

Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament expressed gratitude for invitation to visit Saudi Arabia.

In the course of meeting, Chairman of the Milli Majlis especially touched upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorny Karabakh problem, stressing the fair position of Saudi Arabia related to this problem.

“Saudi Arabia adheres in the international organizations the position of Azerbaijan, promotes adoption of appropriate decision on the mentioned issue. We are deeply thankful to the leadership of Saudi Arabia. The people of Azerbaijan are grateful for the program of assistance of King Fahd to the refugees and IDPs in 1994-1999s, the work done by the Saudi Arabian charity society “Nijat”.

Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh ibn Abdullah Humeyd thanked Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament for provided information and noted that he is under the impressions of the last year visit to Azerbaijan.

The same day, members of the delegation took part at the session of the Consultative Council, after which they familiarized with the exhibits narrating on life of the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In the evening 16 February, in the Consultative Council was held a joint session of representatives of parliaments of the two countries.

Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh ibn Abdullah Humeyd opened the session and greeted delegation of Azerbaijan. Then, Chairman of the Consultative Council presented members of the delegation, reminding that the relations between the two countries have historically deep roots. “Our close and beneficial cooperation became possible due to the official visit of President Heydar Aliyev to Saudi Arabia in 1994. We should reach much more strengthening of these links. I wish our relations became closer and closer”, he said. Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh ibn Abdullah Humeyd explained the position of Saudi Arabia in connection with the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorny Karabakh conflict, stating that Saudi Arabia would support Azerbaijan.

Speaking at the session, Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz Alaskarov spoke of the history of parliamentary in Azerbaijan, on the parliament in the period of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first in the East, established in 1918.

Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh ibn Abdullah Humeyd and Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic dwelt on the problem of combat against terrorism, noting the necessity of realization of joint activity in this field.

Visit of Azerbaijani parliamentarians to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues