Historical background to the document "From the conversation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at the meeting with Pope John Paul II (Vatican, "Palace of Castel Gandolfo," September 26, 1997)"

On September 26, 1997, Heydar Aliyev paid an official visit to Vatican and met with Pope John Paul II.

John Paul II underlined the importance of protecting the territorial integrity of the newly independent countries and of the joint struggle against separatism. Heydar Aliyev’s official visit to Vatican played a crucial role in developing the relations between the two states.

On 22 May 2002, John Paul II, head of Vatican, 264th Pope, made an official visit to Azerbaijan for the first time.