Germany set to play a more prominent role in the South Caucasus. The visit of Foreign Minister Steinmeier this week was both timely and significant.

The 20th session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), was held in Baku. Among those attending was the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Chairman of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. On Wednesday (24 June) Ghalibaf also met the Azerbaijan  president Ilham Aliyev Aliyev, emphasized that the fraternal Iranian people have recently experienced enormous suffering, and wished peace to the souls of tallen. Noting that the Azerbaijani people and state stood by the Iranian people and state during the war, Aliyev described telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as other contacts at various levels and manifestations of solidarity, as clear examples of this. Stressing that the suspension of the war was greeted with joy by the Azerbaijani side,  Aliyev said that Baku issued an fficial statement welcoming the end of hostiliities “ I wish there were no wars in the region ,” said President Aliyev, noting that both Azerbaijan and Iran suffered from wars in their time. Recalling with satisfaction Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's previous visits, preisdent Aliyev touched upon the significance of his participation in the 20th session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He expressed hope that this event would contribute to the development of Islamic solidarity. He announced that our country will host the OIC Summit next year and noted that preparatory work has already begun. Aliyev emphasized that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's visit will create a good opportunity to discuss issues related to the bilateral agenda. Ghalibaf expressed gratitude for the support provided by Aliyev, the Azerbaijani state and people during difficult times for Iran. He also expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani leader for visiting the Iranian embassy in Bakuand expressing condolences over the death of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and numerous civilians, as well as for the congratulatory message sent to Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei on the occasion of his election as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Noting that the war was a great misfortune and tragedy, the Galibaf emphasized that during that period, our country remained committed to good-neighborly relations with Iran, provided humanitarian aid, and the Azerbaijani people stood by Iran. He added that this will forever remain in the memory of the Iranian people. Emphasizing that Azerbaijan and Iran have always stood by each other, even in difficult times, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described this as yet another example of the unity and solidarity of our countries. The guest stated that this war also demonstrated to Iran the importance of contacts with Muslim countries. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf noted that during the war, Iran learned who its friends and enemies were. Azerbaijan, as a friendly country, stood by Iran. During the conversation, confidence was expressed in the even more dynamic development of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations in the future, and it was emphasized with satisfaction that the construction of the Agbend-Kelale bridge has already been completed and that the Araz corridor, which runs through Iran, will also serve to expand transport opportunities in the region. At the meeting, an exchange of views took place on the prospects for bilateral relations, including issues of interparliamentary cooperation, and the activities of the intergovernmental commission were touched upon.