Azerbaijani delegation meets representatives of Diaspora in Sweden
By Amina Nazarli
Representatives of various confessions, religions and nations equally live in Azerbaijan over the centuries, said State Adviser on Multinational, Multicultural and Religious Affairs, Academician Kamal Abdulla, as he met Minister for Culture and Democracy of Sweden Alice Bah Kuhnke.
The meeting was held as part of Azerbaijani delegation’s visit to Sweden and included head of the Community of Azerbaijan's Mountain Jews Milikh Yevdayev, head of Baku European Jews Community Gennadi Zelmanovich, Archbishop of Baku and Azerbaijan eparchy Alexander Ishein, Head of the Catholic community in Azerbaijan Ordinary Vladimir Fekete and Executive Director of Baku international Multiculturalism Centre Azad Mammadov, Azertac state news agency reported.
The state advisor spoke about the policy carried out by the state on this front.
Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pasazade also highlighted tolerance environment of Azerbaijan. "The state protects cultural values and national diversity of people living in Azerbaijan," he said.
Bah Kuhnke, for her part, highlighted her country`s domestic policy as well as its various values. She said racism, terrorism, and refugee issues were the greatest problems of Sweden. The minister added that Swedish State supported representatives of various religions in the country.
"Cultural relations among the nations, inter-religious dialogue played a key role in solving various problems," she said.
Kamal Abdulla, in turn, condemned the terror attacks perpetrated in several countries of the world. He stressed the importance of religious tolerance in the relevant issue.
Within the visit, the national delegation also met a group of MPs represented at Swedish Parliament.
Chair of the Committee on the Constitution Andreas Norlén highlighted the activity of the Parliament, as well as Azerbaijani-Swedish bilateral ties, noting that reciprocal visits gave contributions to boosting cooperation.
The state advisor touched upon parliamentary traditions in Azerbaijan, expressed hope that the close cooperation would be established between the parliamentarians of both countries and invited Swedish MPs to visit Azerbaijan.
Abdulla and his accompanying delegation also held meeting with representatives of Diaspora organizations operating in Sweden.
Azerbaijan`s Ambassador to Sweden Adish Mammadov, addressed the event, highlighting the importance of a conference on "Multiculturalism and religious tolerance: Azerbaijan`s experience and its importance for Europe" held in Stockholm.
The ambassador provided an insight into activity of Azerbaijan`s Diasporas, as well as ties of Embassy with the Diaspora.
Abdulla, for his part, highlighted the development of Azerbaijan, noting that Azerbaijan was one of the most ancient cradles of world civilization, and was crossroad between Europe and Asia.
"Peaceful and stabile living of representatives of various
confessions, different nations, in Azerbaijan over the centuries
has been the vivid example of cultural richness and diversity of
the country," he added.
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