Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Representatives of Azerbaijan`s state Committee for Work with Diaspora and their accompanying media representatives met with Azerbaijani diaspora organizations and activists of the Turkish community in Belgium.

Chairman of the Azerbaijani-Belgian Friendship Society, Ayhan Demirchi, Head of Belgian Karabakh Culture and Solidarity Association BELKAD, Abbas Uchar, Head of the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Belgium "Dayak" Friendship Society, Asef Bagiov and representatives of the Union of European Turkish Democrats, Ekram Kishlaly addressed the meeting.

Chief of Staff of the State Committee Nariman Gurbanov spoke about the cooperating strategy with the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking countries. He highlighted the importance of strengthening relations between Azerbaijani diaspora organizations in Benelux and Turkish communities.

Gurbanov said the activities of diaspora organizations should be aimed at informing the world community about Azerbaijan's realities, effective fighting against the so-called "Armenian genocide" and working on other matters relating to the interests of Azerbaijan.

Kishlaly said Turkey has always taken the problems of Azerbaijan as its own and is ready to provide assistance to the Azerbaijani diaspora organizations in Belgium.

He noted that Turks has become an important electoral force in Belgium which should be used as a means to influence the Senate.

Kishlaly said it is necessary to remind Belgium Senate of the issues the Khojaly genocide, refugees and IDPs.

Abbas, in turn, said some negotiations are underway with the municipality of Henzis city on erecting a monument to Khojaly genocide.

Armenian armed forces, supported by the ex-Soviet 366th regiment, occupied and ruined the town of Khojali by heavy artillery shelling on February 26, 1992.

As many as 613 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in the massacre, and a total of 1,000 people were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent.

Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage, and the fate of 150 of them remains unknown till now.

Demirci talked about the projects implemented by the Turks, Uygurs, Kirkuks and Cypriot Turks.

Furthermore, Gurbanov noted that diaspora organizations should take measures to prevent Armenia's propaganda operations about the so-called "Armenian genocide" and together with the Turkish communities promote the first European game, which will be held next year in Baku.

Armenia's government and the Armenian lobby groups claim that Turkey's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, committed genocide against Armenians in 1915, an allegation dismissed by Ankara.

Armenians worked hard for a long time to get global recognition for the "Armenian genocide". They are going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the so-called Armenian genocide.