Mehriban Aliyeva meets President of the Pontifical Commission for Culture of the State of Vatican Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi

President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva met President of the Pontifical Commission for Culture of the State of Vatican Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, November 4.

Mehriban Aliyeva congratulated Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi for being awarded the “Friendship” Order, one of the highest prizes of Azerbaijan. Highly appreciating the cardinal’s services to strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and Vatican, especially in the sphere of culture, Mehriban Aliyeva said the events held in Vatican, exhibitions associated with Azerbaijan in the Vatican Museum, one of the the world’s most grandiose hubs of culture, had been realized at the initiative of and with support from Gianfranco Ravasi. Emphasizing that the relations established between Azerbaijan and the State of Vatican have been long-term, the First Lady noted that she was interested in continuing implementation of joint projects by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.  Mehriban Aliyeva said the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was ready to take part both in various restoration works and also hold exhibitions.

Mentioning that this was his second visit to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the guest expressed his pleasure with the visit. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravazi noted that Mehriban Aliyeva’s visit to Rome was the evidence of solid relations between our countries, and said he highly valued the significance of bilateral relations.