Armenia denies UNESCO mission to investigate Azerbaijani cultural heritage, committee chair says

Armenia has refused to allow a UNESCO mission to investigate the state of Azerbaijani cultural heritage within its territory, said Aziz Alakbarli, Chairman of the Board of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Report informs.

Alakbarli made this announcement at the second international conference titled “The Right to Return: Advancing Justice for Azerbaijanis Expelled from Armenia,” held in Baku.

He emphasized that restoring justice and establishing lasting peace in the region is only possible through recognizing and ensuring the right to return for Western Azerbaijanis. He stated, "Armenia's policy of creating a mono-ethnic society contradicts the region's rich traditions of ethnic and religious diversity. Our purpose in listing these historical facts is not to perpetuate the conflict but to explain the starting point of our struggle for justice, peace, and reconciliation. We are committed to the goal of returning to our native lands peacefully and respecting the norms and principles of international law."

The chairman stressed that the support of the international community is invaluable in this process. "We believe that the restoration of justice and the establishment of lasting peace in the region is only possible through the recognition and ensuring of the right to return for Western Azerbaijanis. The support of the international community is irreplaceable in this process," he said.

Alakbarli noted that the Armenian government's lack of readiness for constructive dialogue complicates the issue. "Despite this, we are determined to continue our righteous cause based on the principles of peace and dialogue," he affirmed.