To the participants of the First International Baku Forum “State and Religion: Strengthening Tolerance in a Changing World”

Dear participants of the Forum!

I would like to salute you, the participants of the First International Baku Forum "State and Religion: Strengthening Tolerance in a Changing World" and send all of you my best wishes.

I think it is a commendable occasion that government officials involved in religious policy in different countries, representatives of influential international organizations and leading research centers, and prominent religious figures are meeting in Azerbaijan. The discussion of such global issues as the role and place of religion in the complex ethnic and political processes taking place in the modern world, where the process of globalization intensifies, the religious factor in international relations and society, the intercultural dialogue for the future of humanity is of particular importance. It is no coincidence that such discussion is organized in Azerbaijan, a country located at the crossroads of civilizations, possessing a rich spiritual and cultural heritage, centuries-old traditions of tolerance, exemplary relations between the state and religion. The religious and ethnic tolerance, which is perceived in the present-day progressive world as one of
the values ​of democracy, has become a model of coexistence in Azerbaijani society. I am pleased to note that, historically, Azerbaijan has never had discrimination and confrontation on ethnic and religious grounds. There have been progressive ethno-cultural and religious relations based on mutual trust and respect in Azerbaijan. An exceptional role in the fact that ethnic groups with different beliefs and convictions have lived in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility for
centuries and preserved to the present day their cultural and ethnic diversity has been played by the humanity and multicultural values inherent in our people.

As a multinational and multi-confessional state, the Republic of Azerbaijan conducts a policy of full integration into the international community, attaches great importance to the development of mutual relations, the relations of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the international arena. The religious policy of the government of Azerbaijan is based on building a democratic state, the principle of regulating relations between the state and religion in the national-religious
and legal dimensions.

The public and political stability existing in the country, the atmosphere of civic solidarity and religious and ethnic tolerance are the logical result of the national policy backed up by progressive historical tradition. I am sure that the Baku forum will see a constructive exchange and feature effective recommendations on such relevant issues as strengthening of tolerance in a rapidly changing world, compliance of universal moral values ​with the principles of international
law, ways of combating extremism and discrimination on religious grounds together, dialogue and understanding between people of different religions and cultures. 

I wish all of you good health in your noble and necessary activity, and every success to the international forum.

Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku city, 18 December 2012.