(MENAFN) On Tuesday, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a meeting with Archbishop Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, in the Vatican.

The discussion primarily focused on the state of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, as well as ongoing regional developments, according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, both officials shared their perspectives on the current status of Azerbaijan-Holy See relations and identified potential areas for enhanced cooperation in the future.

They emphasized the significance of continuing high-level diplomatic exchanges, highlighting the recent visits of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva to the Vatican.

The ministry noted that the officials expressed appreciation for the humanitarian and cultural restoration projects supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and carried out in the Vatican. They also discussed First Vice President Aliyeva’s visit to Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital, underscoring the potential for further collaboration in the healthcare sector.

The conversation touched upon the visits of Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016, with both sides highlighting the ongoing construction of a Catholic church in Baku dedicated to John Paul II.

Both officials agreed that the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations, set for 2027, would serve as an important milestone for strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See.

Finally, Bayramov provided Archbishop Gallagher with an update on Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote religious tolerance and protect religious heritage, including the preservation of Christian sites within the country.

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