On March 3, the Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, Sahib Naghiyev, met with Apostle Rene Folman of the “New Apostolic Church” for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and North Rhine-Westphalia, along with Svetlana Steponova, Chair of the “New Apostolic” Christian community in Baku.

During the meeting, Deputy Chairman Naghiyev emphasized that, as a multi-confessional and secular state, Azerbaijan places special importance on ensuring freedom of conscience and religion, strengthening interfaith harmony, and expanding cooperation among religious communities. He noted that financial support is provided for the effective functioning of both Islamic and non-Islamic religious communities.

Naghiyev also highlighted the restoration of churches alongside mosques in territories liberated from occupation as a clear example of Azerbaijan’s commitment to its Christian religious heritage. He criticized the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches for distorting these facts and invited the guests to visit the liberated territories to witness the preservation of all churches firsthand.