Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian made a traditional speech basing on lies and slanders at general political debate held within the 37th Session of UNESCO General Conference. APA reports quoting the Foreign Ministry’s press service that Anar Karimov, Charge d’affairs of the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO has issued a statement in the exercise of the right of reply to the statement by FM of Armenia at the 37th Session of UNESCO General Conference. The statement says: “It is strange to hear from the Minister words about respect to cultural diversity when his own country became « a unique » mono ethnic and mono religious country by expelling 200 thousand Azerbaijanis from their historical home. It is also strange to hear about Armenia’s endeavors to fight racism and xenophobia while former President of Armenia replied to the question about roots of Armenian -Azerbaijani conflict, that the roots of the conflict lay down in ethnic incompatibility of Armenians and Azerbaijanis. These are the words of leader of the nation who supposed to lead his country towards peaceful coexistence with its neighbors in 21 century when the civilized world overcomes the racial prejudices. This statement was harshly criticized by many international organizations, including then secretary general of council of Europe.
It is also strange to hear from the Minister words about respect of cultural values and heritage when his own country occupied the territory of another state, carried out ethnic cleansing in the occupied territories and destroyed all cultural and religious heritage, including mosques, temples, monuments and even cemeteries with only goal to erase all traces of presence of Azerbaijanis both in occupied territories and in Armenia itself.” /APA/
