The “Memorandum of Understanding in the field of interreligious dialogue between the State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See and the Holy See” has been signed, EDnews reports.

The memorandum envisages the exchange of experience and information between the parties, as well as the implementation of joint events in order to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding and tolerance. The document also reflects the development of cooperation in the field of religious education.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions, and Cardinal George Jacob Kuvakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See and the Holy See.

Chairman of the State Committee Ramin Mammadov expressed his confidence that the signed memorandum will make significant contributions to the promotion of interreligious harmony and cultural diversity and will play an important role in promoting these values. During his speech, the Chairman of the Committee, who congratulated on the occasion of the Holy Jubilee Year, emphasized that the friendly and cooperative relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Holy See have developed greatly. He noted that the cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Vatican is considered one of the best examples of intercultural dialogue and a sensitive attitude to world cultural heritage in the world. The goal of successful projects such as the restoration of the catacombs, cooperation with the Vatican Museum and the Apostolic Library, and the digitization of archive manuscripts is to contribute to the common heritage of humanity.

 
Providing information about the religious environment in our country, the Chairman of the Committee noted that the state policy implemented under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, is based on the principles and norms of international law. Special attention is paid to strengthening the environment of mutual respect and understanding between religious confessions in Azerbaijan.

R. Mammadov said that one of the main steps taken after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from occupation is the process of restoration and reconstruction of religious monuments that were subjected to Armenian vandalism. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, is implementing major projects in our liberated territories for this purpose.

Cardinal George Jacob Kuvakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See, expressed his satisfaction with the high-level cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican, and touched upon the role of the visits of Pope John Paul II and Francis to Azerbaijan in the development of relations. He assessed this Memorandum as a successful result of relations strengthened 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. Cardinal George Jacob Kuvakad also expressed his confidence that the projects to be implemented within the framework of the document will play an important role in promoting interreligious harmony and cultural diversity. He expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, for his support in approving and signing the Memorandum.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Holy See, Mr. Ilgar Mukhtarov.