Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See signed a Memorandum of Understanding on interreligious dialogue.
The memorandum envisages the exchange of experience and information between the parties, as well as the implementation of joint events to promote the interreligious and intercultural dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding and tolerance. The document also includes cooperation in the field of religious education.
The MoU was inked by Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions, and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See.
Chairman of the State Committee Ramin Mammadov expressed his confidence that the memorandum would make a tangible contribution to promoting interreligious harmony and cultural diversity.
Expressing his congratulations on the Jubilee Holy Year, the Chairman emphasized that the friendly and cooperative relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Holy See have traversed a long path of development. He described the collaboration between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Vatican as one of the best examples of intercultural dialogue and sensitive attitude to the global cultural heritage. He emphasized that the successful projects such as the restoration of the catacombs, cooperation with the Vatican Museum and the Vatican Apostolic Library, and the digitization of archival manuscripts aims to contribute to the common heritage of mankind.
Highlighting the country’s religious environment, Ramin Mammadov noted that the policy pursued under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership is based on the principles and norms of international law. Azerbaijan pays special attention to boosting mutual understanding between the religious confessions.
Ramin Mammadov noted that one of the main steps taken following the liberation of the occupied territories is the process of restoration and reconstruction of religious monuments that have been subjected to Armenian vandalism. For this purpose, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, led by First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, is implementing major projects in the liberated territories.
George Jacob Koovakad hailed the high-level cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican. He touched upon the role of the visits of Popes John Paul II and Francis to Azerbaijan in the development of the bilateral relations. He described this memorandum as a successful result of relations solidified by the agreement signed on April 29, 2011 between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Holy See on the Legal Status of the Catholic Church in the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is an indicator of respect and honor for religious minorities in the country. The Cardinal also expressed his confidence that the projects to be implemented within the framework of the document would play a crucial role in promoting interreligious harmony and cultural diversity. He expressed his gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for supporting the approval and signing of the memorandum.