Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan and executive director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Cardinal Claudio Gucerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches of the Holy See. The current relations between Azerbaijan and the Vatican and projects within the framework of cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation were discussed.
Oku.Az reports that Claudio Gucerotti highly valued the projects of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Vatican and the president of the Foundation for his constant support Mehriban Aliyeva Pope Francis expressed his special gratitude.
The restoration of the Vatican catacombs by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the close cooperation with the Vatican Museum and the Apostolic Library, the digitization of archival manuscripts, the familiarization visit of Vatican archaeologists to Azerbaijan in order to restore monuments At the meeting, special mention was made of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the importance of implementing new projects in the future was highlighted.
Cardinal Gucerotti praised these measures and stated that the construction of a new Catholic church in Baku with the support of the government of Azerbaijan and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is a clear example of our country’s multicultural policy.
The guest emphasized that in the context of the expansion of religious conflicts in the world, the policy of multiculturalism implemented by the government of Azerbaijan, the peaceful coexistence of different religions in the country and freedom of religious belief are the greatest contribution to peace. .
The Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Anar Alakbarov, stated that the President of the Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, has always attached special importance to relations with the Vatican and expressed confidence that this cooperation will develop in the future. As an indicator of the close cooperation between the parties, the cooperation agreement signed between the governorate of the Vatican city-state and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in relation to the restoration works to be carried out in St. Paul’s Basilica was highlighted.
The representative of the Holy See also presented the proposal to hold Azerbaijani cultural days in the Vatican, organize a program of exhibitions and concerts, and organize a mutual exchange between experts in various fields, among other future projects with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
During the meeting, Claudio Gucerotti was informed about the preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held in Baku from November 11 to 22. The guest expressed confidence that the World Summit of Religious Leaders, which will be held on the eve of COP29 under the motto “World Religions for a Green Planet”, will contribute to the positive development of interreligious relations and the success of the international conference.
