Baku: First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, on October 17. During their meeting, Aliyeva expressed her pleasure at reuniting with Cardinal Parolin and extended her congratulations to the Catholic community on the occasion of the ‘Jubilee Year.’ She also acknowledged the Cardinal’s participation in the COP29 event held in Azerbaijan last November, highlighting the evolving cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized Azerbaijan’s dedication to religious tolerance and multiculturalism, both as a state policy and societal norm. She referred to the initiatives undertaken by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in collaboration with the Holy See, noting the potential for further strengthening bilateral relations. Discussing Azerbaijan’s relationship with its Catholic community, she shared that the proposal for constructing a second Catholic Church in the country, raised during the Cardinal’s visit last year, had received positive approval from President Ilham Aliyev. The building of this new church in Baku is set to commence soon. Aliyeva expressed gratitude to Cardinal Parolin, whom she regards as a close friend of Azerbaijan, for his role in advancing bilateral cooperation.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin conveyed his honor in meeting Mehriban Aliyeva once more and expressed his appreciation to the Azerbaijani state and President Ilham Aliyev for fostering ties with the Holy See. He recounted his meeting with President Aliyev during the COP29 event as a gesture of mutual respect. Cardinal Parolin lauded the projects supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and emphasized the exemplary relationship between the Azerbaijani state and the Catholic community. He praised the decision to construct a second Catholic Church in Baku as a testament to Azerbaijan’s commitment to religious respect, setting an example for other nations.
Furthermore, Cardinal Parolin noted the significance of President Ilham Aliyev awarding the ‘Friendship’ Order to Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, as a mark of respect toward the Holy See.
He congratulated Azerbaijan on the Joint Declaration signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States on August 8 in Washington, and on the initialing of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He affirmed the Vatican’s unwavering support for peace in the region.
In response, Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her gratitude for the Cardinal’s congratulations and commended the outcomes of the Washington Summit. She stressed the commitment of Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders to the peace agenda and voiced her hope for enduring peace in the region.