Iraq files formal objection to parts of Baku Declaration at OIC parliamentary conference

BAGHDAD, Iraq — An Iraqi parliamentary delegation has formally submitted its objection to several provisions of the Baku Declaration adopted at the 20th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, held in Azerbaijan's capital. The objection was filed with the union's General Secretariat. The delegation cited Iraq's longstanding support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. It objected to the declaration's two-state solution language, saying it was not aligned with legislation issued by Iraq's parliament backing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, along with the rights of return and compensation. The Iraqi side also asked that its proposals be added to the declaration, including the creation of joint mediation commissions among member states to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and to seek political solutions to crises. The delegation requested that its objection be officially recorded in the conference documents and minutes, and thanked Azerbaijan and the union's General Secretariat for hosting and organizing the event. The parliamentary delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Adnan Fihan, traveled to Azerbaijan to attend the conference held in Baku from June 22 to 25.