On December 18, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations Ramin Mammadov met with Amy Carlon, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, Chairman Mammadov noted that following the Memorandum of Understanding signed this year in Washington between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States, cooperation in all areas, including the religious sphere, has entered a new phase. He emphasized that this new phase presents effective opportunities to further develop cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States in the religious field.

Discussing the multicultural environment fostered by Azerbaijan’s successful state–religion policy, Chairman Mammadov highlighted that targeted efforts in this direction contribute to the preservation of national and moral values, strengthen interfaith solidarity, and reinforce civic unity. He noted that the “Colors of Diversity” festival, organized for the first time in Azerbaijan, was held at a high level with broad public interest and active participation from various religious denominations, serving as a clear indicator of the country’s atmosphere of tolerance based on mutual respect, trust, and multicultural values.

Amy Carlon praised the religious tolerance and multicultural environment observed in Azerbaijan, asserting that the existing mutual understanding and cooperation among representatives of different religious confessions are exemplary. She emphasized that multiculturalism is one of Azerbaijan’s strongest attributes, stating that the United States’ primary objective is to contribute to the strengthening of peace, stability, and mutual understanding in the region. She also noted that U.S.–Azerbaijan relations are expected to develop more dynamically in the coming year, with visits from several public and political figures to Azerbaijan planned. She positively assessed the opening of the Baku office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Chargé d’Affaires also emphasized the importance of ensuring that reports of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom are prepared without bias or unfounded allegations and objectively and comprehensively reflect the realities in Azerbaijan, including the actual state of freedom of religion and the country’s tolerant environment.