First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on October 17.

Axar.az reports that First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva said that she was glad to see Cardinal Pietro Parolin again and congratulated the Catholic world on the occasion of the "Jubilee Year".

Expressing gratitude for the participation of the Vatican Secretary of State in the COP29 event held in Azerbaijan in November last year, the First Vice-President expressed her satisfaction with the dynamics of our country's developing cooperation with the Holy See, which has expanded in recent years.

Noting that Azerbaijan is a country that embodies the values ​​of religious tolerance and multiculturalism, Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized that this is both a state policy and a way of life of our society. Speaking about the work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of cooperation with the Holy See, the First Vice-President noted that there is great potential for further development of bilateral relations. Noting that relations with the Catholic community in our country are at a high level, the First Vice President said:

"The issue raised by the Secretary of State in Azerbaijan last November - the construction of a second Catholic Church in our country - is finding a positive solution. A positive decision has already been made by President Ilham Aliyev on this matter, and the construction of a second Catholic Church in our capital will begin soon."

Mehriban Aliyeva noted that Cardinal Pietro Parolin is recognized in Azerbaijan as a close friend of our country and people, and expressed gratitude to him for the rapid and successful development of our cooperation.

Pietro Parolin, saying that he was honored to see First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva again, expressed his deep gratitude to the Azerbaijani state and President Ilham Aliyev personally for his efforts in bringing relations to this level. He assessed the reception by President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan in connection with COP29 in November last year as a manifestation of respect for the Holy See. Speaking about the projects successfully implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the cardinal highly appreciated this cooperation. He also drew attention to the exemplary relations between the Catholic community operating in Azerbaijan and the state, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation between our states, and said:

"The construction of the second Catholic Church in Baku is a very commendable event, for which we are grateful to Azerbaijan. This is once again a manifestation of the care and respect shown to all religions in your country. Azerbaijan is an example for many countries in this sense."

The Cardinal noted that the awarding of the Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church, Bishop Vladimir Fekete, with the Order of Friendship by President Ilham Aliyev is another sign of respect for the Holy See.

Secretary of State Pietro Parolin congratulated our country on the signing of the Joint Declaration by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States in Washington on August 8, and the initialing of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and expressed the Vatican's unequivocal support for the establishment of peace in the region.

Expressing gratitude to Cardinal Pietro Parolin for the congratulations, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva highly appreciated the results of the Washington Summit, emphasizing that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia remain committed to the peace agenda, and she hopes for the establishment of lasting peace in the region.