The delegation was accompanied by the department head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ibrahim Hajiyev and apostolic nuncio, Ambassador of Vatican to Azerbaijan Claudio Gugerotti.

Ibrahim Hajiyev informed in details the guests on history of the Marty’s Alley and on tragedy of January 20, 1990.

Showing respect to memory of heroes fallen for freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, archbishop, monsignor Jean-Luis Toran laid a wreath to a memorial Eternity Fire.

Further, the members of the delegation admired the panorama of the capital of Azerbaijan.

VATICAN IS SATISFIED WITH CONDITIONS CREATED FOR RELIGIOUS BODIES IN AZERBAIJAN

Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Murtuz Alasgarov received the Secretary for relations with states of the State Secretariat of Vatican, monsignor Jean-Luis Toran on September 23.

Having cordially greeted the delegation, Murtuz Alasgarov pointed out that Azerbaijan is interested in development of relations with all countries and Vatican among them. The negotiations, held during the visit of the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to Italy and Johan Pope II to Baku, the document signed during these visits promoted the development of bilateral relationships. Legal reforms carried out in Azerbaijan created a safe basis for development of democracy, human rights defense and freedom of religion.

A land plot especially given for construction of a catholic church is the evidence of the fact that all conditions for free activities of religious minorities have been created in Azerbaijan.

Further Murtuz Alasgarov told in details on Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, position of Azerbaijan on this issue, obstacles that Azerbaijan is facing during resolution of this problem.

Expressing gratitude for warm reception, archbishop monsignor Jean-Luis Toran asked to convey cordial greetings of Johan Paul II to His Excellency Heydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan.

Further, the guest pointed out that Vatican is interested in development of relations with Azerbaijan and intends to fulfill joint cooperation in the filed of democracy, as well as human rights defense, as our positions are the same on major issues. Vatican highly appraises conditions created in Azerbaijan for different religious communities, and a land plot given for Catholic Church in Baku.

Archbishop monsignor Jean-Luis Toran underlined that Vatican support peaceful settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh within the framework of international law and supports the position of Azerbaijan in this issue.

Besides, the parties shared their views on issues of mutual interest.

NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT SHOULD BE RESOLVED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF SOVEREIGNTY, TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SECURITY OF AZERBAIJAN

On September 23, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Arthur Rasizadeh met with a delegation of Vatican led by the Secretary for relations with states of the State Secretariat, Archbishop monsignor Jean-Luis Toran paying a visit to Baku.

The Archbishop underlined it was an honor to be in Azerbaijan where people enjoy high extent of religious tolerance and asked Arthur Rasizadeh to convey greetings of the Pope to the outstanding statesman Heydar Aliyev and wished him the soonest recovery in the USA and return to motherland.

Saying that the main aim of his visit to Azerbaijan is in discussion of a number of issues related to development of interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Vatican, the Archbishop expressed gratitude to the government of Azerbaijan for good attitude towards Catholics and giving a land plot for construction of a Catholic Church in Baku.

In this concern, he underlined that Vatican is always ready to cooperate in the field of culture, education and others as well as telling the truth about Azerbaijan to world community. The Ar5chbishop touched upon the problem of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh underlining the importance of taking three principles as the basis for settlement of the conflict - principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Azerbaijan.

Having reminded the meeting of President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev with Rome Pope in September 1997 and official visit of the Pope to Baku in May 2002, Arthur Rasizadeh stressed that reciprocal visits promoted development of our bilateral relations. Rasizadeh positively appraised the activities of the nuncio of Vatican in Azerbaijan and underlined his special role in continuation of mutually beneficial relations.

Touching upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Arthur Rasizadeh pointed out that it was extremely important that the Catholic Church, taking into account its world authority all over the world, could inform the world community on fair position of Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh problem.

The parties exchanged their views on other issues of mutual interest.

ARCHBISHOP MONSIGNOR JEAN-LUIS TORAN: THERE IS SUCH FORCIBLE ARGUMENT AS UN RESOLUTION FOR SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

A delegation of Vatican led by the Secretary for relations with states of the State Secretariat monsignor Jean-Luis Toran met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov.

Deputy Foreign Minister greeted the delegation, expressed gratitude to Archbishop for receiving the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, and arrived in Azerbaijan. Khalaf Khalafov pointed out that after gaining independence Azerbaijan sat diplomatic relations with all countries and Vatican among them.

The negotiations held during the visit of the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to Rome and the Pope Johan Paul II to Baku, the documents signed by the parties promoted development of our cooperation. Legal reforms in Azerbaijan created a good basis for human rights defense, development of democracy, and freedom of religion. However, regional conflicts, in particular, Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, cause serious obstacles for development of the country. Because of aggression of Armenia, 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands are under invasion; over one million of people have to live in camps in difficult conditions. Azerbaijan needs aid of Vatican in settlement of the conflict, due to this aid, hundreds of thousands of people will have a chance to return to their homes and live in peace.

The Archbishop thanked for cordial atmosphere at the meeting and asked to convey greetings of Johan Paul II to the His Excellency Heydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan.

Vatican is interested in development of relations with Azerbaijan, our positions on major issues coincide, he said. Vatican highly appraises conditions created in Azerbaijan for different religious communities, a land plot given to Catholic Church construction in Baku.

Speaking on settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the guest said, “I consider there is such forcible argument as a resolution of the UN Security Council for settlement of the Karabakh confloict. The leading states of the world should use it. Simply, political will is to be shown for fulfillment of these resolutions”.