The projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with the Vatican and the “Natavan Cultural Heritage Award” established jointly with ICESCO are vivid examples of Azerbaijan’s consistent policy aimed at promoting peace and protecting universal values at the international level, and constitute a worthy response to the groundless claims voiced against the country in recent times, MP Soltan Mammadov said at today’s session of the Milli Majlis, APA reports.
The MP noted that Azerbaijan’s foreign policy has evolved beyond the framework of bilateral cultural relations into a consistent and systematic state strategy serving to promote peace and mutual understanding on a global scale.
“This strategy, defined by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, is aimed at expanding intercultural dialogue and deepening international cooperation. The initiatives of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva play an important role in the implementation of this policy. The tangible results of this strategic course have been clearly demonstrated at a number of international events held recently.
In this regard, the presentation of projects implemented jointly with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Vatican on April 30 is of particular importance. Within the event, the publication ‘Bridge of Cultures,’ reflecting the projects carried out by the Foundation in the Vatican over the past 15 years, a documentary film, and a triptych carpet composition prepared on the basis of the ‘Heavenly Religions’ project were showcased. The first copy of the book was presented during a meeting between President of the Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva and Pope Leo XIV during her visit to the Vatican in April 2025. These presentations are regarded as a continuation of the cooperation and mutual trust established between Azerbaijan and the Holy See and make an important contribution to interfaith dialogue.
The discovery and digitization by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation of manuscripts related to Azerbaijan’s history in the Vatican Apostolic Library and Archives is also of great significance. Another important event was the first award ceremony of the ‘Natavan Cultural Heritage Award,’ held on May 4 at ICESCO headquarters in Morocco. Established in 2025 as an important initiative in Azerbaijan’s cultural diplomacy and named after Khurshidbanu Natavan, the award serves to promote best practices in the preservation of tangible cultural heritage.
The ‘Natavan Cultural Heritage Award’ demonstrates Azerbaijan’s commitment to national values and its adherence to the principles of humanism and multiculturalism. Presented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and ICESCO, the award is both a tribute to the memory of Khurshidbanu Natavan and a contribution to promoting Karabakh’s rich cultural heritage at the international level.
As a result, both the projects implemented with the Vatican and the ‘Natavan Cultural Heritage Award’ established jointly with ICESCO are vivid examples of Azerbaijan’s consistent policy aimed at promoting peace and protecting universal values internationally and constitute a worthy response to the groundless claims voiced against our country in recent times,” he said.
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