Azerbaijan's FM meets Holy See official to discuss bilateral cooperation Updated

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, held talks with Archbishop Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See's Secretariat of State, during an official visit to the Vatican.

Discussions focused on the current state and future prospects of bilateral relations, regional and international issues, and potential cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican within international platforms, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides highlighted the importance of maintaining high-level visits to deepen bilateral cooperation. In this context, they noted the significance of President Ilham Aliyev’s visits, as well as the visit of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva to the Vatican in October this year.

Satisfaction was expressed over ongoing and planned humanitarian projects, including initiatives to preserve and restore architectural monuments in the Holy See, supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The meeting also noted the importance of Aliyeva’s visit to Europe’s largest paediatric hospital and research centre, Bambino Gesù, emphasising the value of bilateral collaboration in healthcare.

The discussions recalled Pope John Paul II’s visit to Azerbaijan in 2002 and Pope Francis’s visit in 2016, as well as the construction of a Catholic church in Baku dedicated to John Paul II. Both sides expressed confidence that 2027 will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the Vatican, a key milestone in bilateral ties.

Bayramov highlighted Azerbaijan’s achievements in promoting religious tolerance, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and the restoration and preservation of religious monuments, including Christian churches.

Global climate change was also discussed, with Azerbaijan sharing its initiatives as chair of COP29. Talks further covered Azerbaijan’s contributions to energy security, transport corridor development, and relations with Central Asian countries.

The minister provided an update on the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including historic Washington agreements, practical steps for their implementation, and post-conflict regional development.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

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In the framework of his official visit to the Vatican, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States & International Organizations of the Holy See.

“The sides reviewed the developing Azerbaijan–Vatican relations, pleasingly noted the constructive dialogue, mutual respect & active cooperation in promoting interfaith understanding & global peace initiatives, Caliber.Az quotes the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry as saying on X.

The parties emphasised the importance of continued high-level exchanges in further strengthening political dialogue, expanding cultural and humanitarian ties. They also noted the necessity of advancing joint international projects.

“The sides discussed the successful preservation & restoration projects carried out at the Vatican with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, recognizing them as a significant contribution to safeguarding world religious & cultural heritage,” the ministry says.

Bayramov highlighted Azerbaijan’s longstanding commitment to protecting religious monuments and fostering multiculturalism, both domestically and globally.

“Progress on the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, implementation of the historic Washington Summit agreements & reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan were all in the spotlight as well,” the ministry concluded.

By Khagan Isayev