On July 3, Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, met with Monsignor Pascal Yacabone, the president of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology of the Vatican State.
Addressing the importance of mutual cooperation during the meeting, Chairman of the State Committee said that the official visits of Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to the Vatican made new contributions to the development of relations. Ramin Mammadov, also emphasized the special services of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in deepening bilateral relations, and noted that the Foundation successfully fulfills the important mission of protecting, restoring and reconstructing various material and cultural monuments not only in Azerbaijan, but also beyond its borders.
Later, Chairman of the State Committee drew attention to the purposeful state policy conducted in the direction of the expansion of inter-religious dialogue and said that it further strengthens the multicultural and tolerant environment that historically exists in our country. He said that Azerbaijan's model of tolerance has once again proven its effectiveness at a time when religious extremism and conflicts exist in the world.
Monsignor Pascal Yacabone, president of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology of the Vatican State, said that Azerbaijan's close cooperation with the Holy See is commendable. He emphasized the importance of the example of tolerance and coexistence presented by our country. Also touching on the humanitarian mission of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the guest highly appreciated the conditions created for the protection of religious and cultural diversity in Azerbaijan.
Experts of the Pontifical Commission on Sacred Archeology and Ilgar Mukhtarov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Holy See, also participated in the meeting where the establishment of relations of the Azerbaijan Theological Institute, which operates under the State Committee, with the relevant institutions in the Vatican, exchange of experience and other issues of mutual interest were discussed.