Minister: Italy is interested in cultural cooperation with Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met with his Italian counterpart Alessandro Giuli during his visit to Rome.

Report informs, citing Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture, Alessandro Giuli welcomed his Azerbaijani counterpart and stressed that relations between the two countries are developing at a high level in trade and energy sectors.

He noted that Italy is also interested in cultural cooperation with Azerbaijan. "We highly appreciate the contributions of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to the restoration of historical and religious heritage in Italy, as well as in the Vatican, and we express our gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for this," the Italian minister added.

Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Karimli highlighted that relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, based on mutual trust and friendship between the leaders, are strengthening year by year. It was emphasized that the Azerbaijani state also values cooperation with Italy. In 2014, a "Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Italian Republic" was signed. Cultural cooperation between the two countries is also developing. In particular, relations in areas such as preservation of historical and cultural heritage, architecture, and design are satisfactory.

Italy has rich experience in the restoration and protection of historical and cultural heritage, operating museums and libraries. Azerbaijan is interested in benefiting from the Italian experience in this field.

Minister Adil Karimli noted that during the occupation of Azerbaijan's territories by Armenia, its centuries-old historical and cultural heritage was destroyed and subjected to vandalism. The Azerbaijani state is carrying out extensive restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated territories. President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva pay special attention to the repair and restoration of historical and cultural monuments. Italy also contributes to the restoration process in the liberated territories.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of mutual interest including art education, management of cultural institutions, and organization of mutual tours of musical groups.