Harvard University Program director apologizes to Azerbaijan

Baku. 26 December. REPORT.AZ/ Sergei Konoplyov, citizen of the United States of America and Ukraine, Director of the Eurasia Security Program at the Kennedy School of Harvard University, has been removed from the “List of foreign citizens illegally visited the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan” of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan.

Report informs citing the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan that a citizen the United States of America and Ukraine, Director of the Eurasia Security Program at the Kennedy School of Harvard University, Sergei Konoplyov addressed a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for a removal of his name from the “List of foreign citizens illegally visited the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan”.

In his letter, Sergei Konoplyov, noted that he was unaware about the consequences of his visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in 2012. He reaffirmed his full respect to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders, its laws and regulations and underlined that this visit shall not give a meaning of disrespect for Republic of Azerbaijan and its people.

Expressing regrets for this visit Sergei Konoplyov mentioned that his visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia in no way served for the promotion of illegal regime established in the seized lands of Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, Sergei Konoplyov expressed his apology to the Government and People of Azerbaijan for an unauthorized visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and attested that he would refrain from such visits to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in the future. Sergei Konoplyov also asked for permission to visit our country in the future.

The appeal by Sergei Konoplyov was considered and the removal of his name from the list was decided.