From 11 to 13 December of the current year, a delegation led by Anar Baghirov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Bar Association (ABA), paid an official visit to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, at the invitation of the Romanian Bar Association (RBA).

FIRST DAY OF THE VISIT

Visit to the monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev

The delegation visited the monument of Heydar Aliyev, the architect and founder of modern independent Azerbaijan, the great son of the Azerbaijani people and the National Leader, erected in Tei Park in Bucharest. Floral tributes were laid at the monument, and the cherished memory of the National Leader was honored with great respect and deep reverence.

Meeting at the Ministry of Justice

As part of the visit, the delegation held a meeting at the Ministry of Justice of Romania.

During the meeting, the sincere and friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Romania were particularly emphasized, and an extensive exchange of views took place on the work carried out to further expand bilateral relations in the legal field and on prospects for future cooperation.

Roxana Simona Momeu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Romania, provided detailed information on the reforms implemented in the country’s justice system and their practical application, and also spoke about the activities of the Romanian Bar Association and the work carried out in the field of joint cooperation.

Chairman of the Bar Association Anar Baghirov thanked the Romanian side for the warm reception and invitation, emphasizing that Romania is one of Azerbaijan’s important partner countries. He noted that the developing political and economic relations between the two countries also create a strong foundation for legal cooperation. The Chairman also provided detailed information on the work carried out and projects implemented by the Bar Association in recent years, noting that the number of lawyers has increased more than threefold during this period.

Anar Baghirov emphasized that the Bar Association operates as a fully independent institution and spoke about the measures implemented within the framework of effective and constructive cooperation with the Ministry of Justice. The Chairman specifically highlighted the importance of mandatory training programs for candidates for the legal profession at the Justice Academy, as well as the significant role of continuous training courses for lawyers in enhancing professional competence.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.

SECOND DAY OF THE VISIT

The delegation led by Chairman Anar Baghirov visited the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Romania.

During the visit, the delegation met with the embassy staff and familiarized themselves with the working conditions.

Gudsi Osmanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Romania, warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, noting that Azerbaijan–Romania relations have been developing dynamically in recent years.

In his remarks, Anar Baghirov thanked the hosts for the invitation and warm reception, emphasizing that the main purpose of the visit to Romania was to develop cooperation in the field of advocacy between the two countries and to expand mutual exchange of experience.

The Chairman spoke about the reforms implemented in Azerbaijan aimed at improving and modernizing the judicial and legal system and ensuring the sustainable development of advocacy, emphasizing that the foundations of the independence of the bar institution were laid by National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He recalled that the Constitution of independent Azerbaijan was drafted under the leadership of the National Leader and highlighted the important role of this document in the establishment of a rule-of-law state.

During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on a number of issues of mutual interest.

At the end of the visit, Anar Baghirov presented the embassy building with the official emblem of the Bar Association and an exquisitely designed copy of the Constitution.

Annual Conference

The delegation participated in the Annual Conference of the Romanian Bar Association.

The Chairman of the Romanian Bar Association, Traian Briciu, delivered the opening speech, warmly welcoming the delegation and expressing his deep gratitude to the leadership of the Azerbaijan Bar Association for accepting the invitation and visiting Bucharest. He stated that the development of cooperation between the institutions of the two countries is of great importance.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Bar Association Anar Baghirov addressed the Annual Conference, thanking the hosts for the high level of hospitality and warm reception. He noted the importance of the existing cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Romanian bar associations and emphasized that such meetings play a significant role in strengthening professional relations between lawyers of the two countries. At the same time, Anar Baghirov expressed his confidence that cooperation between the institutions would continue in a more systematic, purposeful, and broader format in the future.

As a special sign of attention and respect toward the delegation within the framework of the Annual Conference, a presentation entitled “The Digital Future of Justice” was delivered in the Azerbaijani language.

Broad-format meeting

During the meeting, Chairman Anar Baghirov provided information on the judicial and legal reforms implemented in the country in recent years and, as part of these reforms, the large-scale work carried out by the Bar Association, important innovations, and the results achieved. He particularly noted the significant increase in the number of lawyers, the growing prestige of the bar institution, and the alignment of professional activities with more modern standards. Anar Baghirov also spoke about transparent and objective mechanisms applied in the admission process to the profession, the expansion of electronic services, efforts aimed at ensuring the financial independence of the Bar Association, and support provided to young lawyers.

In addition, the Chairman emphasized the importance of lawyers’ participation in continuous training programs and spoke about free and state-funded legal aid, social projects, support measures for low-income individuals, strengthening of the material and technical base, as well as the activities of the Legal Aid and Training Centers and other institutions.

At the same time, the Chairman drew attention to the progressive and fundamental amendments made to the Law “On Lawyers and Advocacy Activities,” emphasizing that this Law serves to further strengthen the bar institution and to organize professional activity efficiently and in line with modern requirements. He shared Azerbaijan’s positive experience formed in this field with the participants of the meeting.

Anar Baghirov stated that after the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from 30 years of Armenian occupation, the internationally recognized borders, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the state have been fully restored. Large-scale reconstruction and development works are currently being carried out in the liberated territories, new residential areas are being built, and the return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands is being ensured. It was noted that, against the background of expanding regional and international cooperation and growing trade and economic relations between the two countries, the provision of high-quality legal assistance to citizens, the organization of legal services, and the strengthening of mutual cooperation will also be ensured.

During the meeting, participants engaged in an extensive exchange of views, and ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation were reviewed.

At the same time, within the framework of the meeting, gifts were exchanged between the participants, and a formal reception was held at the end.

It should be noted that the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Romania, Gudsi Osmanov, also participated in the meetings at the Ministry of Justice and the broad-format meeting.

Thus, the official visit of the Azerbaijan Bar Association delegation to Romania came to an end.