Azerbaijan, Vatican discuss expanding cooperation

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Tuesday met with Archbishop Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s secretary for relations with states and international organizations, in the Vatican to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

The two officials exchanged views on the current level of Azerbaijan–Holy See ties and possible areas of future cooperation.

They stressed the importance of continuing high-level visits, noting recent trips by President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.

According to the ministry, the sides welcomed humanitarian and cultural restoration projects carried out in the Vatican with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

They also mentioned Aliyeva’s visit to Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital and the importance of cooperation in health-related fields.

The talks recalled the visits of Pope John Paul II in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 to Azerbaijan, as well as the ongoing construction of a Catholic church in Baku named after John Paul II.

Both sides said the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 would help strengthen cooperation.

Bayramov briefed Gallagher on Azerbaijan’s efforts in promoting religious tolerance and protecting religious heritage, including Christian sites.

He also outlined the country’s work as COP29 president and its role in energy security and regional transport routes.

The minister provided information on the normalization process with Armenia, the agreements reached at the Washington summit, and the latest regional developments.