Mierina and Azerbaijani MP stress the need to avoid wider conflict in Middle East

RIGA - Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) and Kamran Bayramov, head of the Azerbaijan-Latvia interparliamentary friendship, discussed developments in the Middle East on Thursday, stressing the need to avoid a wider conflict in the region and to prevent further escalation.

As LETA was told at the Saeima press office, Mierina on Thursday met with a delegation of the Azerbaijan-Latvia Interparliamentary Working Group of Azerbaijan's National Assembly.

"The turmoil in the world clearly shows that no country is safe. We need to develop the military industry, and we see opportunities for cooperation in this area," said Mierina.

The officials also discussed support for Ukraine. As Mierina emphasized, the security of Ukraine is the security of all Europe, and Russia clearly demonstrates that it does not want to end the war. Events in the Middle East are affecting oil prices, and Russia can use this to its advantage, generating income to continue the war.

The discussion also touched on the risks of Russian hybrid threats. Russia uses hybrid operations, disinformation, and fake news campaigns to influence other countries as well. The Azerbaijani MPs appreciated Latvia's experience in combating Russian hybrid threats and expressed a desire to develop closer cooperation with Latvia in combating such threats.

Mierina and the Azerbaijani lawmakers also highlighted opportunities for strengthening bilateral relations, particularly cooperation in trade and tourism.

The discussion also addressed the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the Saeima speaker welcomed positive dynamics in the bilateral dialogue between the countries.

During their visit to Latvia, the Azerbaijani lawmakers also met with other representatives of the Saeima, including Olegs Burovs (Honor to Serve Riga), head of the parliamentary group for cooperation with the Azerbaijani parliament, as well as MPs from the Saeima Defense, Interior Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee and the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee.