President Ilham Aliyev had an expanded meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin (UPDATE)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have had an expanded meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The parties hailed Azerbaijan-Vatican cooperation. It was noted that there was an excellent attitude towards all religions in Azerbaijan, and that various religious communities lived the country in an atmosphere of understanding and confidence. It was emphasized that there were good traditions of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan. It was said that special attention was paid to this area in Azerbaijan, and that there was high-level stability and mutual understanding in the country.

The Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was discussed at the meeting..

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have met head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis in the Vatican.

A welcoming ceremony was held for President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva.

Azerbaijan-Vatican relations were praised at the meeting. The parties said these relations had good prospects. It was noted that the Vatican praised and attached great importance to its ties with Azerbaijan. The sides stressed that Azerbaijan`s placing significance on intercultural and interfaith ties played a profound role in the development of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The atmosphere of tolerance in Azerbaijan was hailed as exemplary, and it was emphasized that representatives of all religious confessions were living in the country in peace and stability.

The importance of culture projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation under the leadership of first lady Mehriban Aliyeva in the Vatican in the last few years was underlined at the meeting.

The parties exchanged presents.