The Holy See
Bilateral diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Holy See
Diplomatic relations with the Holy See were established on the 23rd of May 1992. Azerbaijan has developed relations with the Holy See since regaining its independence. The visit of the National Leader, President Heydar Aliyev to the Vatican in September 1997, and the head of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul the Second, to our country on the 22nd to the 23rd of May 2002 at the invitation of the President of Azerbaijan laid a solid foundation for bilateral diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See.
Following these visits, the construction of the St. Mary Roman-Catholic Church in Baku and the participation of his eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State of the Holy See, in its official opening in 2008, gave an important impetus to Azerbaijan's relations with the Throne. Note that during the visit of Pope John Paul the Second to Azerbaijan, the two heads of state agreed to build a Catholic church in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani state allocated free space for and the Vatican provided the construction of the church.
On the 22nd of February 2020, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, paid a visit to the Vatican.
First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, visited the Holy See on the 23rd to the 26th of September 2018.
On the 17th of September 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, paid an official visit to the Vatican.
Contractual and legal framework
The parties signed a total of 1 contract and co-operation agreement in seven areas.