Baku Responds to Mirzoyan's Statements

We categorically reject the "baseless" and "false accusations" directed at Azerbaijan by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, during his speech at the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference on November 9, 2023. This was stated by the spokesperson of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aykan Hajizade, according to Azerbaijani media.

"It is unacceptable that Armenia, which has committed 'mass killings and crimes against humanity' during nearly 30 years of military aggression against Azerbaijan, hypocritically continues to blame Azerbaijan for the ethnic cleansing of Armenians who went to Armenia voluntarily," Hajizade said.

Mirzoyan emphasized yesterday from the international podium that Azerbaijan's 10-month blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, the humanitarian crisis, large-scale military aggression, and indiscriminate targeting of civilians and infrastructure have led to the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of the native Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Regarding the preservation of cultural and religious heritage that remains in Nagorno-Karabakh, the minister noted that its protection from vandalism and looting is of utmost importance.

The spokesperson of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled Mirzoyan's statement as "baseless," stating: "The historical and religious monuments located in Azerbaijan's 'sovereign territories' are part of Azerbaijan's national cultural heritage and are protected regardless of their origin or secular or religious affiliation."