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Azerbaijan-Albania relations/ A strategic partnership built on multicultural values

2025-12-25 16:45:00, Opinione Arben Ramkaj

Azerbaijan-Albania relations/ A strategic partnership built on multicultural
Member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of International Studies of Albania, academician Arben Ramkaj, in an interview with AZ?RTAC shared his thoughts on the current state and prospects for the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Albania. The academician also emphasized that Azerbaijan’s continuous and purposeful initiatives, implemented at the state level to preserve multicultural values ??and promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue, are of particular importance in the international arena.
We present the interview below:
– Azerbaijan is known in the world as a tolerant country. How do you assess the work done in Azerbaijan in terms of preserving and promoting multicultural values?
– Azerbaijan today has an exemplary position, both at the regional and global levels, in promoting multiculturalism and interreligious coexistence. This success is a logical result of the far-sighted and sustainable strategic vision of President Ilham Aliyev. It is precisely thanks to this leadership that Azerbaijan has become one of the countries playing a leading role in modern cultural diplomacy.
The peaceful coexistence of Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities in conditions of peace, mutual respect and trust is a historical tradition formed over the centuries in Azerbaijan. Today, this model is systematically preserved and developed as one of the main priorities of state policy. The state makes deliberate and continuous investments in the restoration of monuments of religious and cultural heritage, institutional strengthening of religious communities, promotion of intercultural dialogue and creation of global platforms on tolerance. As a result, Azerbaijan is recognized as an inspiring international model that proves that diversity is not a source of conflict, but a powerful tool for understanding and peace.
– How do you assess the state initiatives undertaken in Azerbaijan to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue?
– Azerbaijan has created flexible, sustainable and efficient institutional mechanisms for promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue. One of the leading institutions in this field is the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism. Under the leadership of Revan Hasanov, this center has transformed in a short time into an institution with an international reputation, enjoying trust in the field of cultural diplomacy.
At the initiative of the Center, strategic partnership networks have been created with leading academic institutions, cultural institutes and international organizations in Asia, Africa, Europe, the United States of America and other regions. These collaborations have positioned Azerbaijan as one of the most active and reliable partners in promoting global dialogue.
Baku, known as the capital of tolerance, through regularly organized international forums, has become a living platform where the model of peaceful coexistence is practically implemented. As a participant in some of these activities, I can say with conviction that Azerbaijan presents itself in the international arena as a real and successful example of a culture of peace and interfaith harmony.
– How do you assess Azerbaijan’s cooperation with Albania in this area and the contributions that our country can make?
– Albania is a country of great geopolitical and strategic importance in the Western Balkans and Southeastern Europe region. It is a full member of NATO, an active participant in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, part of the Francophone space, a reliable partner in Mediterranean initiatives and a serious candidate for membership in the European Union, implementing continuous reforms.
At the same time, Albania actively participates in international peace and security missions, including the global coalition against terrorism. This multifaceted international position transforms Albania into a unique cultural and diplomatic bridge between East and West. Precisely for this reason, cooperation with Azerbaijan has a strategic character and great potential.
Currently, relations between the two countries are developing steadily and dynamically in the economic, political, cultural and security fields. The fact that both states have strong and reliable ties with both the Islamic world and the Euro-Atlantic space and Israel creates broad opportunities for joint initiatives in dialogue, mediation and peacebuilding.
In this context, Albania can serve as a strategic partner of Azerbaijan for opening up to Southeast Europe, while Azerbaijan can play the role of a key platform for strengthening Albania's ties with the Caucasus and Central Asia. Mutual respect and trust between the two peoples constitute the main foundation of these relations. In particular, the high respect for the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and the rich political heritage of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the architect of modern Azerbaijan, proves that these relations are built on solid foundations. It is this factor that ensures the continuous deepening of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Albania.