Armenia grossly violated the requirements of several international conventions on the protection of cultural values in the Azerbaijani territories it occupied for nearly 30 years, Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan, said at the Global Conference on Protection of Religious Monuments within the framework of the 10th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations held in Cascais, Portugal, on November 27, Report informs.
Speaking about the Global Summit of Religious Leaders themed "World Religions for a Green Planet" held within the framework of COP29 in Baku, the Chairman of the Religious Committee said that the event brought to the world community's attention the rich spiritual potential of different confessions and the ability of influential religious leaders to play an important role in solving global issues.
Mammadov said that more than 2,000 mosques, 16 churches, 7 synagogues, and other religious worship places in the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan, where representatives of all religions and ethnic groups live together harmoniously like one family, are part of Azerbaijan's rich heritage:
"During nearly 30 years of occupation, Armenia grossly violated the requirements of several international conventions on the protection of cultural values by falsifying the history of ancient Albanian monuments, which are an integral part of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage, under the guise of restoration, destroying 65 out of 67 mosques, partially destroying 2, demolishing 200 cemeteries, and committing other such acts."
The committee chairman emphasized that in the multinational, multi-confessional country, the protection of historical-cultural heritage and national-moral values, including the restoration and protection of religious places of worship and cultural monuments, is always kept in focus.
Ramin Mammadov said that Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to solving global problems in accordance with universal interests.