Ilham Aliyev met with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

On May 3, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill.

As reported by BAKU.WS, the head of state Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva greeted the guest.

Welcoming the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Welcome, Your Holiness, glad to have you here. I am very pleased to see you. Thank you for accepting my invitation and visiting Azerbaijan. This is not your first time in our country. Mehriban and I have very good memories of our previous meetings. Time flies quickly. It has already been six years since your last visit and, of course, during this time, events that completely change the usual stereotypes have occurred both in the world, in our country, and in the region.

As for the relations between our peoples, everything is stable here. We traditionally feel great sympathy, respect, and mutual support for each other, and I am glad that the strong relations between our peoples create such a foundation for interstate relations. And, of course, the Orthodox community of Azerbaijan is an important factor in interstate relations. I am sure they will be very happy about your visit, as we all are. As we have repeatedly exchanged views on this issue, interfaith and interethnic peace, harmony, and mutual support reign in Azerbaijan. This is an important factor in the sustainable development of our countries, because without this, there can be no talk of any development. We are very pleased with how representatives of the Russian community, the Orthodox community actively participate in the development of our country, in protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and, in general, make a great contribution, as well as all other representatives of the numerous peoples living in Azerbaijan, to the overall development of our country.

Meeting with you, communicating is always very pleasant for us. I once again want to welcome you with all my heart in Azerbaijan. For you, Azerbaijan is not a foreign place. We know you as a great friend of the Azerbaijani people for many years. You have always expressed and through your actions always showed us respect, and I am sure that this positive dynamic will be maintained in the future.

Welcome again!

XXX

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill said:

- Your Excellency, deeply respected Mr. President Ilham Heydarovich.

Deeply respected Mehriban khanym.

Before you sits a person who, apparently by divine providence, had the opportunity to visit most of the countries in the world. A completely special experience. And I visited not just in a certain period of time, but throughout history, which means I can compare, for example, the situation of countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe over the past more than 40 years. Therefore, I can say that such a great experience of communicating with people, with statesmen has formed some of my beliefs, views on life, on politics. Well, and, to be honest, not always, when coming to a country, do you feel comfortable, even when entering into dialogue, in communication with heads of state. Because there is something that perhaps you would not want to talk about and would not want to remember. As for your blessed country, you always fly here as if on wings.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you.

Patriarch Kirill: First of all, I think this is connected with your personality and, of course, allow me to say, with the personality of your wonderful wife. There is such human warmth, a genuine feeling of friendship. This very much, as they say, warms the soul and disposes to such a very correct, trusting, honest dialogue, which always takes place between us.

If we talk about Russian-Azerbaijani