His Holiness Patriarch Alexy meets President Ilham Aliev of Azerbaijan

On 14 September 2005 His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia on a visit to Azerbaijan met with the President Ilham Aliev in the presidential palace.

Present at the meeting were the head of the Spiritual Board of the Muslims of the Caucasus Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pasha-zade, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, members of the Russian Orthodox Church delegation, the suite of His Holiness the Patriarch and state figures of Azerbaijan.

The head of Azerbaijan warmly greeted His Holiness Patriarch Alexy. President Ilham Aliev noted the Patriarch’s contribution to interreligious dialogue and peacemaking and awarded him with the Order of Glory – a high state award of Azerbaijan.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox thanked the President Ilham Aliev for the invitation to visit Azerbaijan and expressed high appreciation of his support of peace efforts undertaken by religious leaders.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy underscored that lasting spiritual and cultural ties that existed among our nations for the last two centuries had successfully stood up to all trials which the Lord judged both countries to endure and overcome.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church noted that the two countries jointly come forward against the pseudoreligious extremism and militant separatism whatever disguise they put on. In their bilateral relations our countries place emphasis on the realization of mutually beneficial economic projects, cooperation in the field of culture and other fields. His Holiness Patriarch Alexy also said that Azerbaijan had experienced political disorders, bloody war and crisis in its economy, but ascended to a worthy position in Eurasia and the world, playing even a greater part in the international processes.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy underscored common position of Russia and Azerbaijan on the development of interreligious dialogue and noted that ‘the Orthodox and the Muslims share the opinion that just punishment should be inflicted upon the pseudoislamic terrorists and their accomplices whoever they are, wherever they are and no matter which slogans they use as a cover.’

His Holiness the Patriarch highly appreciated the position taken by the Azerbaijan state authorities on the Beslan tragedy and thanked the President Ilham Aliev for sympathy and condolences with the victims of this inhuman terrorist act and for his words of support addressed to Russia in that difficult time.

‘The Russian Orthodox Church mourns the victims of the Karabakh conflict and sympathizes with the people who lost their near and dear and shelter because of hostilities’, His Holiness the Patriarch said and reminded the audience that the religious leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia met in Moscow four times and discussed the ways to peaceful settlement in Karabakh’.

‘We share the conviction that this problem should be resoved in course of negotiations rather that in military way’, underscored the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

He noted a significant progress in peace regulation as no shootings had been heard in Nagorny Karabahk for the last ten years. His Holiness expressed hope that the current armistice would become lasting peace, and the old conflict would be regulated considering the interests of the parties involved.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy thanked the President for his help to the Baku Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, especially for the restoration of the Baku Cathedral of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, which was personally supported by President Ilham Aliev and members of his family.

His Holiness is satisfied with the fact that the Russian Orthodox community is not an offended minority and has all opportunities for religious, ethnic and cultural realization.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia decorated President Ilham Geidar Aliev with the order of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Geidar Aliev, father of the acting Azerbaijan President, was also awarded with the same order.

“Thank you for all you do for the people of Azerbaijan taking up the work of your late parent’, His Holiness said to Ilham Aliev.

President thanked His Holiness for the award and confirmed his willingness to do everything possible for strengthening peace in Azerbaijan and developing good relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Russia.

President Ilham Aliev reminded that 2006 is the year of Russia in Azerbaijan.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II wished President Ilham Aliev and citizens of his country peace, tranquility and prosperous life.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia visited Geidar Aliev Foundation where he was met by its Director Anar Alekperov and staff-members.

Geidar Aliev Foundation was established in May 2004 and is headed by the UNESKO Ambassador of good will Mekhriban Khanym Aliev.