Ashraf AboArafe
The President of the Arab Parliament H.E. Mr. Adel Bin AbdulRahman AlAsoomi, stressed that the close Arab relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan and the ties between the Arab and Azerbaijani peoples are a source of strength for reinforcing solidarity between the Arab and Islamic worlds, who own the potential and elements of power that enable them to be influential in changing their current reality towards a better future for their peoples.
This came during the address of the President of the Arab Parliament to the Special Session of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of Heydar Aliyev, the founder of the independent State of Azerbaijan, in the presence of H.E. Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Members of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, Speakers of a number of Parliaments, Heads of Parliamentary Delegations and of regional and international parliamentary organizations.
In his speech, AlAsoomi stated the considerable efforts made by the Leader Heydar Aliyev to strengthen his country’s relations with the Arab States, which have laid the foundation stone for strong Arab relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan at all levels, noting also the huge role he played in the restoration of Azerbaijan’s Islamic identity.
The President of the Arab Parliament also commended the continued march of renaissance, progress and prosperity of the Republic of Azerbaijan under the leadership of current President Ilham Aliyev, who followed his father’s footsteps in supporting the process of internal development and strengthening the regional and international role of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 
AlAsoomi emphasized the keenness of the Arab Parliament in its foreign participations to establish strong foundations for strengthening relations between the Arab and Islamic worlds, notably considering the similarity of challenges between the two sides and the existence of many commonalities, which impose permanent coordination between them in all regional and international fora and to mobilize mutual support for issues of common concern, primarily the Palestinian question, which is a priority for Arab and Islamic States.
