"I think it was a very important event in the modern history, and beginning of the extensive process was remembered with participation of culture ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member-states at a meeting of the culture ministers of the Council of Europe member states in Baku in 2008," President Ilham Aliyev said.
Later on a meeting of the culture ministers of the OIC member-states was attended by their colleagues from the CE.
"It means that Baku, along with its role of geographical bridge, also serves as a intercultural bridge," President Aliyev underscored.
In his speech, the Head of State also said that during the first Forum, he voiced an initiative for the event to became a traditional one.
"I am very pleased that our friends supported this initiative and today are participating at the Forum together with us," he said.
President Aliyev recalled that a very important event took place in 2010.
"The World Summit of Religious Leaders was held in Baku then and the first Forum was held in 2011. Baku process is developing and I am confident that the ongoing discussions at this forum, exchange of views and reports will contribute to our cause," the President said.
"Because we all want inter-religious and inter-cultural relations in the world to find their solution on a healthy basis, cooperation tendencies to be intensified, unpleasant milestones to be prevented, and the positive trends to dominate in the development of intercivilizational dialogue in the world."
Ilham Aliyev noted with regret that so far it is impossible to achieve the desired purpose in full.
"Because, there are conflicts on religious and ethnic grounds in different parts of the world, there are civil wars, tendencies of misunderstanding are growing. And I think that the discussion of these important issues in this format will contribute to our cause, to our cooperation," he said.
According to President Aliyev, holding this Forum in Baku is no coincidence.
"Azerbaijan has been home to the nations living here, and representatives of all religions for centuries. We are proud that today Azerbaijan is an independent, multi-ethnic and multi-faith country. Representatives of all religious, all nations live as one family in peace, friendship and understanding. This is our great wealth and great advantage, and I believe that this factor played a role in the successful development of Azerbaijan," he underscored.
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