Aravot Daily asked the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, Ara Khzmalyan, what the ministry is doing besides appealing to UNESCO, Blue Shield, and other international agencies in order to save Armenian cultural monuments from Azeri vandalism, destruction, and distortion.
“You are aware of the fact that a conference took place at Matenadaran recently in which different responsible circles participated, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICOMOS, and the church, and the purpose of this conference was to clarify the resources we have that we are not currently using. It is clear that we cannot be satisfied simply with appealing to UNESCO. Therefore, this provided an opportunity for every structure to present the work it has carried out. Now, we are holding discussions about the different agencies that can have their impact on this fight with ICOMOS, but there are also fundamental international structures that have leading mandates in regulating such issues. We are in intensive contact via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because this issue does not only have a cultural nature, but one of foreign policy, too,” Ara Khzmalyan said.
Ara Khzmalyan
The deputy minister added that the most difficult and controversial part of this is that the opponent has simply violated all humanitarian, civil, and international norms from the logic of moral relations.
“When our neighboring country operates outside of generally accepted international categories, understandings, and norms, everything becomes ten times more difficult, and the result is that we are speaking in different languages and from different levels of civilization. When we begin to fight for the safety of our cultural monuments, we understand that this is a fight for civilization, essentially.
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Over the past few days, all possible levers have been utilized with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now, the circle is also widening as far as what other international agencies can participate in the regulation of this issue, but I must reiterate, to put it specifically, it is difficult to speak with a state that opened a Military Trophy Park in the 21st century. This not only contradicts the values and beliefs of the Republic of Armenia, but of the international community as well. This is the most prominent demonstration of differences in values and norms.”
Gohar Hakobyan
