Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the President of Azerbaijan and other key personalities during an official visit to the country. During her meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, the Secretary General highlighted the relevance of joint co-operation, emphasising the Organisation's ongoing support through the Council of Europe Action Plan for Azerbaijan 2022-2025 and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).
Marija Pejčinović Burić welcomed the recent dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia on a draft peace treaty, which can act as a blueprint for stability in the region. She also welcomed the recent joint statement of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.
The meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Jeyhun Bayramov focused on the follow-up to the Reykjavik Summit and the Council of Europe support to the reform efforts. Developments in the Karabakh region and the Organisation's support in this context, notably in light of the European Convention on Human Rights, were also discussed. An exchange of views with the Speaker of Milli Mejlis (National Assembly) Sahiba Gafarova also took place. During the meeting, the Secretary General stressed the importance of constructive parliamentary co-operation to advance the Council of Europe's values and standards.
