OIC Secretary General: Azerbaijan has become excellent venue for hosting events on inter-religious tolerance and intercultural dialogue

Baku, May 3, AZERTAC “Azerbaijan has become an excellent venue for hosting events on inter-religious tolerance and intercultural dialogue,” said Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Al-Othaimeen as he met with Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku. The sides hailed the development of high level cooperation between Azerbaijan and OIC. Minister Mammadyarov noted that Azerbaijan pays special attention to the comprehensive development of relations with the OIC and in this regard, characterized the OIC as a unique platform in advancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Islamic World. Furthermore, FM Mammadyarov recalled the declaration of 2017 as a year of Islamic Solidarity Year in Azerbaijan by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and added that opening ceremony of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games will be held on May 12. Elmar Mammadyarov stressed Azerbaijan’s interest in enhancing the OIC’s role in the international arena and said that during its presidency in the UN Security Council, at the initiative of Azerbaijan a high-level meeting of the Security Council convened on the theme of “Strengthening partnership synergy between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)”. He added that the initiative itself demonstrates the strategic nature of the OIC-Azerbaijan partnership, as well as contributes to the enhancement of the OIC-UN cooperation. Minister Mammadyarov put special accent to unambiguous and unanimous condemnation by the OIC the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and support for the “Justice for Khojaly” International Campaign. He also talked about the importance of establishment of Contact Group on the aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan at the OIC Istanbul Summit in April 2016. Secretary General Yousef Al-Othaimeen highly appreciated praiseworthy efforts of Azerbaijan for promoting Islam as a religion of peace, cooperation and friendship and presenting true values of Islam. FM Mammadyarov mentioned that Armenia is pursuing the policy of destruction of Islamic cultural heritage and places of worships in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, he recalled the relevant resolutions adopted by the OIC and stressed the importance of efforts by all member states to make Armenia end the vandalism acts. Yousef Al-Othaimeen reiterated the OIC firm support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. The sides also exchanged views on development of sectoral cooperation, structural reforms within the OIC and cooperation with the other international organizations.