OREANDA-NEWS. October 15, 2009. President Ilham Aliyev received delegates of the 6th Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), held in the framework of the cultural year “Baku-Islamic Culture Capital-2009”.

President Ilham Aliyev characterized the conference held in Baku, the issues discussed, and the decisions made, as an “important event in terms of strengthening relations among countries and Islamic solidarity”.

According to the President, “such events are also important for the strengthening of participant states` international positions, as well.” While characterizing the OIC Member State’s support of Azerbaijan’s position in international organizations as a positive step, President Ilham Aliyev particularly underlined the services of Islamic countries in adoption of the decision, supporting Azerbaijan’s fair position, in UN General Assembly in the previous year.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the President drew attention to the fact that Armenia does not honor the four resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council, which demands unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Reiterating Azerbaijan’s position in the resolution of the conflict on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, President Ilham Aliyev stated that only under such conditions peace and stability in the region could be achieved.

President gave information about the works conducted, during post-Independence years, in cultural field in Azerbaijan – a country loyal to national, religious and cultural values-, and added that currently, all the cultural locations are being renovated, and museums are being built.

President Ilham Aliyev stated that the declaration of Baku as the capital of Islamic Culture in 2009 is “a great honor for us”. Various relevant events are carried out in our capital. This is a demonstration of Azerbaijan’s continious contribution to the dialogue among civilizations, as a country located amidst East and West.

President Ilham Aliyev asked the delegates to send his regards to the heads of states and governments represented by them.

President Ilham Aliyev described the ongoing conference in Baku as “days of friendship and brotherhood.”The President emphasized that while being subject to agression in different historical periods and forced to be part of various Empires, people of Azerbaijan were always faithful to their national moral values, and also pointed out to the fact that over 1.000 mosques have been built in Azerbaijan during the independence years.

“We are trying to establish our relations with Muslim countries on a high level, as it is with other states”, - said President Ilham Aliyev, adding that there are vast opportunities for strengthening of cultural ties. While giving information about various events on Islam culture organized in Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev mentioned as an example the international Ibn-Arabi Symposium, organized recently in Baku on a high-level. He characterized the organization of such events in Baku as indicator of confidence given to Azerbaijan for its support to Islamic solidarity.

The President expressed confidence that the decisions adopted during the 6th conference of the OIC Ministers of Culture would contribute more to the strengthening of the Islamic unity.

Azerbaijan President was presented with memorial gift on behalf of the OIC and ISESCO.

At the end, President Ilham Aliyev took photos with the participants of the meeting.