Baku: The first meeting of the heads of state institutions responsible for religious affairs of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held in Shusha, marks the inauguration of the first official multilateral cooperation format in the religious sphere within the OTS. This was highlighted by Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during his speech at the meeting.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Ramin Mammadov stated that the new platform will establish a solid foundation for future strategic cooperation. He emphasized that the Organization of Turkic States has emerged as an influential geopolitical center, contributing significantly to regional stability and global peace. He further elaborated on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's principle, "We have one family, and that is the Turkic world," highlighting it as a key direction for the integration of the Turkic world.

Mammadov noted that the establishment of a permanent cooperation mechanism among state institutions in the religious sphere within the OTS will aid in preserving common spiritual values, strengthening ideological security, and collectively combating radicalism. He also underscored the importance of expanding scientific and academic cooperation among religious educational institutions of OTS member states by leveraging the potential of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology.

Additionally, Mammadov emphasized the priority of strengthening cooperation in restoring the religious and cultural heritage destroyed in Azerbaijan's territories liberated from occupation, and promoting international recognition of these acts of vandalism.