Baku, September 5, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received a delegation led by President of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities Herbert Winter.

President Ilham Aliyev pointed at a broad program of the visit of the delegation of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities to Azerbaijan, adding that it included numerous meetings and events. The head of state expressed his confidence that the trip would be a good opportunity for them to learn more about the country.

President Ilham Aliyev described the coexistence of various religious and ethnic groups in Azerbaijan in an atmosphere of peace and friendship for centuries as one of Azerbaijan’s greatest treasures. The head of state said the Jewish community in the country was an active part of our society. Stressing that Azerbaijan promoted the values of multiculturalism, peace and religious tolerance, President Ilham Aliyev said the country proclaimed 2016 as a year of multiculturalism. The head of state stressed the importance of bringing multiculturalism into the spotlight at a time when it was suppressed in a number of regions around the globe. President Ilham Aliyev said most of the countries were multinational, highlighting the significance of ensuring tranquility in every country. The head of state said Azerbaijan was one of the countries that could be cited as a good example from this point of view. President Ilham Aliyev noted that the Jewish community had great history in Azerbaijan and preserved their identity and traditions, stressing the community’s contributions to the country`s development.

President of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities Herbert Winter said their meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev would be the most memorable part of their visit. He noted that the main aim of the visit was to get closely familiarized with the peaceful coexistence of various intercultural, ethnic and religious groups in Azerbaijan. Herbert Winter noted that Azerbaijan was one of a few countries that paid enormous attention to multiculturalism. He underlined the importance of the meetings that they would hold with members of various religious communities in Azerbaijan. Herbert Winter said they came from Switzerland, where the International Committee of the Red Cross was founded, adding that the principles of peace and safety were of great interest.

President of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities Herbert Winter described Azerbaijan as a truly beautiful country, which achieved great economic progress and, in general, made accomplishments in all areas. He also hailed the development of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Azerbaijan.