On July 10, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, Sahib Nagiyev, met with the Bishop of Baku and Azerbaijan Alexiy (Smirnov).
During the meeting, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee spoke about the importance given to interreligious harmony, multicultural and tolerant values in Azerbaijan, and the work done to ensure a high level of religious freedom. He said that by the President Ilham Aliyev's Order, providing financial assistance to Religious İnstitutions belonging to different denominations operating in our country every year not only supports their activities, but also contributes to the protection of ethnic-religious diversity in the society and the further development of multicultural values.
Expressing his gratitude for the sincere meeting, Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan noted that against the background of ethnic and religious intolerance, non-discrimination towards religious communities and the creation of fertile conditions by the state for their development are among the main features that distinguish Azerbaijan. The guest said that he was very happy to work in our country and expressed his desire to get to know the local culture, to learn the traditions and language of Azerbaijan.
Other issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.
It should be noted that Alexiy (Smirnov) was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Baku and Azerbaijan by the decision of Patriarch Krillin of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on May 30 of this year.