The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a major threat to our regional security. Nagorno Karabakh and seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan are under occupation of Armenian armed forces for more than twenty years. Consequently, the most basic human rights of more than a million of our compatriots were grossly violated and they were forced to live as refugees and internally displaced persons”, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov said at the fifth meeting of the National Commissions and Committees for UNESCO of TURKSOY member states being held in Baku, reports.

E. Mammadyarov said UNESCO’s Committee for Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict has adopted a decision on the protection of cultural property occupied territories.

“Unfortunately, during these years Armenia fulfilled neither the UN Security Council’s resolutions nor the requirements of this decision adopted by UNESCO. Armenia has deliberately destroyed all cultural monuments of ours in occupied Karabakh and other surrounding districts and even plundered our museums,” said E. Mammadyarov.

The minister noted that there can’t be anything more tragic than the destruction of any cultural and religious monuments or cultural values in general built thousands of years ago and the killing of innocent people.

“We have to continue our efforts with high determination in protecting our common cultural heritage, expanding cooperation opportunities for its recognition by the world, and establishing sound cultural heritage for future generations through TURKSOY and UNESCO,” he stressed.

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