Azerbaijan emphasized its determination to preserve Christian heritage as part of the country's history. In a broad panel at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, Hikmet Hajiyev, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, stated that "revenge forces" in Armenia and the Armenian diaspora remain strong and are seeking to undermine the historic peace process between the two countries.
Challenges of the Peace Process
Hajiyev stated: "Most likely, the government and leadership of Armenia need to work to prepare their people for peace." He added: "We won the war, but we are also winning the peace, which is a difficult task." This Azerbaijani official also referred to the destruction of Islamic cultural monuments during the years of occupation in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur by Armenia, saying: "Our mosques were completely destroyed; even pigs were placed inside the mosques."
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Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan, as part of Islamic civilization, is committed to preserving Christian heritage in its land. He continued: "This is our cultural heritage, and we cannot forget it." He also referred to Azerbaijan's history of cultural and religious coexistence, stating: "Above all, I am proud that my country was one of the first places of Zoroastrianism and Christianity. Christianity was accepted as the official religion in the Kingdom of Caucasian Albania in the 4th century. Azerbaijan was also one of the first countries to embrace Islam."
Armenian church officials have protested Azerbaijan's record regarding religious sites and accused Baku of destroying churches in Karabakh, which Azerbaijan denies.
Azerbaijan's Role in European Energy Security
Hajiyev also addressed Azerbaijan's firm stance on misinformation at the Arab Media Summit, stating that even after achieving peace, Azerbaijan is still affected by "misinformation." He remarked that "one of these entities is the European Parliament, which is not only part of the solution but also part of the problem" and referred to some Western media.
This Azerbaijani official emphasized that the European Union's policy towards the South Caucasus should include balanced cooperation with the countries of the region, rather than a one-sided approach. He also highlighted Azerbaijan's role in ensuring European energy security, stating that the country supplies gas to 16 EU member states and other European countries.
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