A delegation of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) headed by WJC President Ronald Lauder visited Azerbaijan’s capital Baku and met with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev. The delegation also held talks with the Chairman of the Clerical Office of Caucasus Muslims, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, and with the leaders of Baku’s Jewish community.
The delegation was comprised of Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC) President Julius Meinl, Russian Jewish Congress (RJC) President Yuri Kanner, WJC Vice-President God Nisanov, RJC Vice-President German Zakhariaev, WJC CEO and Executive Vice-President Robert Singer, and WJC Deputy CEO for Diplomacy Maram Stern.
At a meeting with Azeri President, Lauder said the situation of Jews in the former Soviet republic, a predominantly Muslim nation, was very good and he thanked the Azeri head of state for it. President Aliyev underlined what he said were “excellent relations” of his administration with the Azeri Jewish Community, as well as with the State of Israel and with international NGOs such as the World Jewish Congress. Aliyev said both Ashkenazi and Mountain Jews had been living in the country for more than two millennia, and all religious and ethnic communities in the country were living in harmony with one another.
EAJC President Julius Meinl noted: “It is heartening that the Jewish community in Azerbaijan is thriving, and we regard it as our role to engage with governments to build productive relations.”