Vatican city: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Archbishop Richard Gallagher, the Holy See's secretary for relations with states and international organizations, to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, as reported by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, the discussions focused on the current state of Azerbaijan-Holy See relations and potential areas for future cooperation. Both officials emphasized the significance of maintaining high-level visits, highlighting recent trips by President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.

The ministry noted that both parties welcomed humanitarian and cultural restoration initiatives in the Vatican, supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. They also referenced Aliyeva's visit to Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital and underscored the importance of collaboration in health-related sectors.

The talks revisited the historical visits of Pope John Paul II in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016 to Azerbaijan, as well as the ongoing construction of a Catholic church in Baku named after John Paul II. Both sides expressed that the upcoming 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 would serve as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation further.

Bayramov briefed Gallagher on Azerbaijan's initiatives to promote religious tolerance and protect religious heritage, including Christian sites. Additionally, he outlined Azerbaijan's efforts as COP29 president, its role in energy security, and regional transport routes. The minister also provided updates on the normalization process with Armenia, agreements from the Washington summit, and the latest regional developments.