Azerbaijan’s president strengthens global ties at COP29 with key diplomatic meetings

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev engaged in a series of high-level meetings with prominent international figures on the margins of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku on November 12.

In a diplomatic exchange, President Ilham Aliyev met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

The sides discussed Azerbaijan's commitment to multiculturalism and religious harmony, emphasizing that the country is home to diverse religious communities living peacefully together.

President Aliyev underlined that multiculturalism is not only a state policy but a way of life for Azerbaijan's people. Cardinal Parolin, in turn, expressed gratitude for the construction of Azerbaijan's second Catholic church, viewing it as a vital contribution to interfaith dialogue and the country’s commitment to fostering a multicultural society.

The conversation also touched upon Azerbaijan’s efforts to preserve its ancient Albanian Christian heritage, with President Aliyev highlighting the government's role in maintaining the oldest Christian communities in the region. The parties acknowledged the valuable work of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in restoring Christian heritage, including in the Vatican.

Later that day, President Aliyev welcomed with Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland, to discuss the development of bilateral ties. The two leaders expressed mutual appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between the two countries, especially in light of Poland's participation in COP29.

President Aliyev thanked Duda for attending the climate summit, while Duda praised the excellent organization of the event.

The discussion also revolved around the global climate agenda, with both presidents emphasizing the importance of climate action. They also touched on Azerbaijan-EU relations, regional issues, and the significant Polish heritage in Azerbaijan. President Aliyev recalled the involvement of Polish architects in the design of several monuments in Baku, underscoring the long-standing cultural ties between the two nations.

President Aliyev also met with Prime Minister Petr Fiala of the Czech Republic on the same day. Fiala, visiting Azerbaijan for the first time, expressed his admiration for the successful organization of COP29. He congratulated President Aliyev for leading such a large-scale event within a tight timeframe, a challenge the Azerbaijani president had highlighted earlier.

During their meeting, the leaders discussed the substantial progress made during COP29, particularly on the long-standing issue of carbon offsets trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Despite years of stalemate, President Aliyev pointed to the positive advancements made in Baku, marking a significant milestone in the global fight against climate change.

Prime Minister Fiala also praised Azerbaijan's cultural presentation during the summit's opening ceremony, and the two leaders concluded their talks by focusing on future cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic across various sectors.

By Vafa Guliyeva