Azerbaijani MP: Some circles seek to use concept of culture for geopolitical purposes

The biased statements of Russian Presidential Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy against Azerbaijan once again prove that some circles seek to use the concept of culture for geopolitical purposes, MP Vasif Gafarov told Report.

He noted that culture is a system of values that unites peoples and is based on the principles of mutual respect, and turning it into an instrument of geopolitical manipulation is unacceptable from both an ethical and legal point of view.

"Azerbaijan considers the demolition of any objects, including monuments, erected on its territory in violation of international law and national legislation to be a correct, legal and necessary step," the MP said.

He stated that the installation of a bust of the artist of Armenian origin Ivan Aivazovsky (Hovhannes Ayvazyan) in the territory under the temporary control of Russian peacekeepers without the consent of Azerbaijan was not a cultural initiative, but a political act: "This step can be viewed, on the one hand, as a violation of Azerbaijan's sovereignty, and on the other, as the use of a peacekeeping mandate in a context that does not correspond to its goals and objectives. The Azerbaijani state shows respect for the cultural heritage of other peoples and promotes a model of regional stability based on the principles of coexistence and dialogue between different cultures. However, this does not allow anyone to create new facts on the territory of Azerbaijan under the guise of a peacekeeping mission or cultural diplomacy."

Gafarov also stressed that cultural cooperation should be based on the principles of mutual respect and international law: "Otherwise, committing illegal actions on the territory of another state under the guise of culture, followed by accusing that state of "hostility to culture" in the presence of a justified reaction to these actions, is another example of hypocrisy and the use of double standards. Azerbaijan always maintains its principled position against such approaches and calls on the international community to demonstrate an objective, rather than selective, approach to issues of sovereignty."