Within the framework of the visit to Azerbaijan, a delegation of archaeologists and experts led by Monsignor Pasquale Iacobone, the president of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology of the Holy See, had a meeting with Anar Alakbarov, assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, executive director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Report informs.
At the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the development of relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See. It was noted that mutual visits at various levels, including the visits of Pope John Paul II in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 to Azerbaijan, as well as the visits of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, first lady, the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, to the Vatican, are of great importance both in terms of bilateral relations and inter-civilizational dialogue, emphasizing that the signed documents contributed to the expansion of the relations.
During the discussions, satisfaction was expressed with the activities of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the Holy See, the current effective cooperation, the implementation of joint projects. It was stated that the work on joint projects is ongoing successfully. It was emphasized that the restoration of a number of historical monuments in the Vatican by the Foundation, and work in cultural heritage protection, contribute to the deepening of bilateral relations.
Pasquale Iacobone expressed his gratitude to Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Vice President of Azerbaijan, for all the work done.
The attention paid to the Catholic community as with other religious communities and the work done regarding the restoration of churches and temples in the country, including Catholic churches in Azerbaijan, where freedom of religious belief and conscience is fully guaranteed, where a large number of religious communities operate, where the necessary conditions are provided for everyone to freely perform religious rites, was highly appreciated.
Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Anar Alakbarov, pointed out that the Foundation is open to new projects in the framework of cooperation with the Holy See.
At the meeting, the importance of exchanging experience in the restoration of monuments of historical and cultural importance was also reviewed.
Monsignor Pasquale Iacobone, the president of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology of the Holy See, pointed out that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was also invited to the event related to the Jubilee Year, celebrated by the Church every 25 years, which coincides with 2025.
