Samad Seyidov, head of Azerbaijani delegation to PACE and vice president of the organization stated it is important to study the condition of Azerbaijani monuments destroyed by Armenians in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
“Azerbaijani delegation to PACE backs up examination of these monuments’ condition by CoE”, Seyidov said to journalists on 6 August.
The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasia started in 1988 over territorial claims raised by Armenia against Azerbaijan. 20 percent of the Azerbaijan territory – Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts were occupied by Armenian armed forces.
Armenian armed forces have destroyed 1421 culture houses, 15 clubs in towns and 503 in the countryside, 8 libraries in regions, 32 in towns, 10 children and 683 village libraries, 6 cultural and rest parks, 47 music schools for children, 3 theatres, 3 galleries, 464 historical monuments, about 40,000 historical handcraft items and 4,6mln books in Azerbaijani occupied territories.
He emphasized that experts sent by the CoE Committee of Ministers held meetings in the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, as well as with the MPs.
“Ministers of culture of the CoE member-states are expected to meet at the end of the year. As for me, it is important to discuss Azerbaijani monuments destroyed by Armenians and voice an objective opinion in this regard at the ministers’ meeting. This issue will be cleared up. Investigation of this issue meets interests of Azerbaijan”, Seyidov added.
The delegation head emphasized that attempts were made by CoE to study this issue unfairly, i.e. to visit one region and leave aside the other.
The official Baku has given a positive response regarding a meeting of culture ministers of the CoE member-states to be held in Azerbaijan, Seyidov added.
Trend
