During the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva on March 22, Sahiba Gafarova and Alen Simonyan, the speakers of the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Armenia, engaged in a bilateral meeting facilitated by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The meeting, initiated and mediated by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, aimed to explore how the parliaments of both countries could contribute to the ongoing peace process amidst the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Discussions centered on the potential for parliamentary support and dialogue to complement the intergovernmental peace negotiations. Both parties expressed willingness to consider avenues for dialogue at the parliamentary level, fostering a constructive environment during the meeting.

According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the meeting serves as an additional initiative to bolster peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia at the parliamentary level. Recognizing the pivotal role of parliamentarians in reducing tensions, building trust, and ultimately ratifying and implementing future peace agreements, the Inter-Parliamentary Union extended its mediation to foster dialogue and cultivate neighborly relations between the two countries.

This historic meeting marked the first encounter between the two parliament speakers. Both sides expressed their commitment to sustaining dialogue under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, signaling a shared determination to restore confidence and advance peace efforts.

The meeting follows the mission of the Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to Armenia and Azerbaijan in February 2024, during which foundational discussions were held with high-level authorities, laying the groundwork for the subsequent parliamentary dialogue.