Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva was on a visit to Italy, 2-3 June 2014.
Meeting with Pope Francis
On June 2, Mehriban Aliyeva met Pope Francis.
At the meeting, bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Vatican, as well as projects being implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Italy were discussed.
Emphasizing the extending relations between Azerbaijan and Vatican, Mehriban Aliyeva noted that these relations cover wider areas in preservation of cultural heritage.
Mehriban Aliyeva talked also about the works done towards improving social conditions of refugees and internally displaced people due to the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan.
Recalling the visit by Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan in 2002, Mehriban Aliyeva said this visit has contributed to the cooperation existing between the two countries, and invited Pope Francis to visit Azerbaijan.
Accepting the invitation, Pope Francis said he was well informed of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s multilateral activity.
Underlining Vatican’s interest in extending bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, the Pontiff praised Mehriban Aliyeva’s activity in this direction. He highly appreciated the restoration works carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on Holy Roman catacombs.
Then, souvenirs were exchanged.
Acquaintance with the Vatican Library
Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Vatican Library on June 2nd.
Mehriban Aliyeva was informed of the library’s activity and its technical capacity, as well as the projects implemented in partnership with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and was presented restored versions of about 50 ancient manuscripts.
At the library, the First Lady viewed maps covering the Caspian Sea region and the Middle East.
Then Mehriban Aliyeva and Director of the Vatican Apostolic Library Jean Luis Bruges signed a new agreement on “Restoration of new manuscripts and their digitalization in 2015 - 2016” .
Then, souvenirs were exchanged.
Meeting with President of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi
On June 2, Mehriban Aliyeva met President of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi.
The Cardinal thanked Mehriban Aliyeva for her contribution to the development of relations between Vatican and Azerbaijan and for the restoration of Roman catacombs. He highly appreciated the works done by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Expressing her pleasure of visiting Vatican, Mehriban Aliyeva expressed confidence the meeting with the Pontiff will contribute to the relations between the states. Calling Gianfranco Ravasi a friend of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva conveyed greetings of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the Cardinal, and invited him to visit Baku again.
At the meeting, information was given about the first stage of the works being carried out in connection with restoration of Holy Roman catacombs with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Then, souvenirs were exchanged.
Visit to Roman catacombs
On June 2, Mehriban Aliyeva acquainted herself with Saint Helen Mausoleum and Roman catacombs being restored with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Vatican.
Visit to Pio Clementino Museum
On June 3, Mehriban Aliyeva acquainted herself with Pio Clementino Museum.
After visiting the museum, Mehriban Aliyeva met Vatican city Governship’s Secretary General, Archbishop Fernando Vergez Alzaga.
Meeting with Vatican city Governship’s Secretary General Archbishop Fernando Vergez Alzaga
On June 3, Mehriban Aliyeva met Vatican city Governship’s Secretary General Archbishop Fernando Vergez Alzaga.
Thanking Mehriban Aliyeva for showing interest towards Vatican museums, Fernando Vergez Alzaga expressed confidence that cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Vatican will be successful.
Then two agreements were signed by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on restoration of the monument to Zeus in the Vatican Museum, and reconstruction works in the “Sestina Hall”.
At the end, they were photographed.
Meeting with Mayor of Rome Ignacio Marino
On June 3, Mehriban Aliyeva met Rome city Mayor Ignacio Marino.
At the meeting, relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, as well as projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Italy were discussed.
Mehriban Aliyeva invited Ignacio Marino to visit Azerbaijan.
After the meeting, Mehriban Aliyeva was informed of the archaeological excavations launched in Alexandria street, one of the central streets of Rome. The Mayor of Rome said they would like to implement this project in partnership with Azerbaijan. And Mehriban Aliyeva, in turn, noted that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has always been interested in implementing joint projects with Italy in scientific, cultural and other spheres.
At the end souvenirs were exchanged.
June 2-3, 2014
