Using his right to reply Armen Ghazaryan responded the accusations made by the delegate of Azerbaijan during UNHCR’s governing Executive Committee (ExCom) meeting:
“Madam Chair, High Commissioner,
I had to take the floor to respond the accusations made by the delegate of Azerbaijan. I want to underscore that Armenia duly noted the call of the High Commissioner not to politicize this forum and to discuss humanitarian issues. Though some delegates continued this practice of politicization, but distinguished delegate of Azerbaijan did this and once again demonstrated the destructive approach trying to cleanwash the history in accordance with the political preferences of his country. As a result of Nagorno Karabakh conflict Armenia has received more that 300 thousands up to 400 thousands refugees, majority of whom have been successfully integrated in our society. While Azerbaijan deliberately keep these refugees in protected refugee situation trying to use them for political proposes. Concerning the accusations about Syrian refugees one much simply will be bewildered with the approach of Azerbaijan which is blaming Armenia for receiving and trying to accommodate and integrate people heavily affected by dire conflict in Syria. This can not to decrease our will and readiness to continue to receive and accommodate the refugees from Syria- a brotherly country that have received millions of Armenian refugees after the Genocide of 1915. We will continue to do our best to accommodate those people and give international protection in our country. Thank you”.
UNHCR’s governing Executive Committee (ExCom) meets in Geneva annually to review and approve the agency’s programmes and budget, advise on international protection and discuss a range of other issues with UNHCR and intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.
