President Aliyev meets Pope Francis
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban
Aliyeva have met head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis in the
Vatican during an official visit.
A welcoming ceremony was held in honor of the president and the
first lady. Azerbaijan-Vatican relations were praised at the
meeting.
The sides said these relations had good prospects. It was noted that the Vatican praises and attaches great importance to its ties with Azerbaijan.
The parties stressed that Azerbaijan is placing significance on intercultural and interfaith ties, which efforts have played a profound role in the development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The atmosphere of tolerance in Azerbaijan was hailed as
exemplary, and it was emphasized that representatives of all
religious confessions were living in the country in peace and
stability.
The importance of culture projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation under the leadership of First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in
the Vatican in the last few years was underlined at the
meeting.
Following, the head of state and the first lady had a long meeting
with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The parties hailed Azerbaijan-Vatican cooperation. It was noted
that there was an excellent attitude towards all religions in
Azerbaijan, and that various religious communities were living in
the country in an atmosphere of understanding and confidence.
The meeting also emphasized good traditions of multiculturalism
in Azerbaijan. It was said that special attention was paid to this
area in Azerbaijan, and that there was high-level stability and
mutual understanding in the country.
The Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was also
discussed at the meeting.
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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar
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