At the meeting, the US ambassador regarded Azerbaijan’s efforts aimed at promoting tolerance as a contribution to stability in the region and beyond. He noted the importance of united efforts by all countries in the fight against religious radicalism and terrorism.
Mubariz Gurbanli in his turn mentioned to Cekuta his concerns over the bill submitted recently submitted to Congress by the US Helsinki Commission, acting under the chairmanship of Chris Smith. “The bill is biased and far from the reality,” Gurbanli noted.
“This kind of attempts is likely to strand U.S.-Azerbaijan relations and of course triggers reasonable public uproar in Azerbaijan,” he added.
Gurbanli said that the peaceful coexistence of representatives of various religions in Azerbaijan throughout history and Azerbaijan’s traditions of multiculturalism and tolerance are an example to the whole world. “Claims that freedom of religion is violated in Azerbaijan are groundless.”
“I informed the US ambassador that the approval of this bill can undermine the strategic cooperation between the two countries,” the state committee chairman said.
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