Addis Ababa, July 30, 2026 (FMC) — Azerbaijan considers Ethiopia a strategic partner and a key anchor for expanding its engagement across Africa, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis (National Assembly), Sahiba Gafarova, said during a high-level discussion in Addis Ababa.
Speaking at a fireside chat organized by the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) under the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy, Regional Dynamics, and International Cooperation,” Gafarova praised Ethiopia’s growing role in promoting dialogue, regional cooperation and continental unity.
She reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ethiopia while broadening its cooperation with African countries through parliamentary diplomacy, academic partnerships and regional collaboration.
According to Gafarova, Ethiopia occupies a pivotal position in advancing cooperation and integration across Africa, making it a trusted partner for Azerbaijan’s long-term engagement with the continent.
The event brought together diplomats, parliamentarians, scholars and policy experts to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing shared regional and global priorities.
Gafarova underscored the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy in international relations, describing it as an effective mechanism for promoting transparency, accountability, mutual understanding and sustainable development.
She stressed that stronger cooperation among legislative institutions represents an investment in a shared future, noting that decisions taken today will shape the world inherited by future generations.
Reflecting on her official visit to Ethiopia, the Speaker said the trip deepened her understanding of the country and further strengthened the longstanding friendship between Ethiopia and Azerbaijan.
She described her meetings with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives Tagese Chafo as productive, saying they reflected both countries’ shared determination to elevate bilateral relations.
Gafarova also emphasized that dialogue and cooperation have become increasingly indispensable in an interconnected world, calling for closer collaboration to address common regional and global challenges.
Welcoming the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and Azerbaijan’s ADA University, she said the agreement would enhance academic cooperation, expand knowledge exchange and strengthen people-to-people ties.
She further noted that her visit to Ethiopia’s Mesob One-Stop Service Center demonstrated the country’s commitment to efficient, citizen-centered public service delivery and reflected ongoing public sector reforms.
Concluding her remarks, Gafarova reiterated that Ethiopia’s growing influence in advancing dialogue, cooperation and unity across Africa makes it a strategic partner for Azerbaijan’s expanding engagement with the continent.