President Ilham Aliyev sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze.
Medianews.az reports that the letter states:
"Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
We received the news of the passing of His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia and a prominent religious figure of our time, with deep sadness.
His Holiness Ilia II devoted his entire life and activity to noble ideals for his people and humanity. Through his efforts to establish peace, tranquility, solidarity among people, interfaith understanding, and dialogue in the Caucasus, His Holiness Ilia II gained a place in the hearts of millions of people regardless of their national and religious affiliation, earning deep respect and admiration.
His Holiness Ilia II made great contributions to the development and strengthening of the traditional friendship and cooperation relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Sharing the sorrow of this heavy loss, I express my heartfelt condolences to you, the entire people of Georgia, and the Georgian Orthodox Church, personally and on behalf of the Azerbaijani people."