Azernews.Az

The Azerbaijani government's approach to the conduct of the "Week of Azerbaijan" at an Armenian school is normal, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim said.
The unprecedented event started on Monday at the Yerevan-based Mkhitar Sebastatsi state-owned school, whose principal is Armenia's former education minister Ashot Bleyan often accused in the country by his Azerbaijan-leaning stance. The event was organized in a bid to defuse tension between the two countries facing a long-standing conflict. Bleyan is opposed to the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and advocates for forging close ties with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The ministry spokesman said Armenian political forces are spreading misinformation, which amplifies the wrong impression among Armenians about Azerbaijan and the Garabagh conflict. Ibrahim said it was therefore important to deliver the truth to the Armenian public.
"The event is not taking place through the government. But we would like to hope that in the process, Azerbaijani citizens will convey comprehensive and accurate information to the Armenian community," he said.
The function was attended by an Azerbaijani delegation comprising writer Seymur Baychan, representatives of the Helsinki Civil Watch Azeri office and other rights defenders. During the "Week of Azerbaijan", schoolchidren will write essays on the topics "My view of Azerbaijan" and "The way I see the future of Armenia and Azerbaijan". The participants will also watch a film entitled "Open the border!" that was shot by Luiza Pogosian in Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh and Armenia. The British embassy in Armenia is one of the organizers of the event.
The development sparked heated debate in the legislature on Tuesday. Deputy chairman of pro-government Ana Vatan party Zahid Oruj leveled severe criticism at the members of the delegation, terming them as persons adhering to anti-Azerbaijan stance. "These persons have always been a target of criticism in Azerbaijan," he said.
Oruj said "public diplomacy' was not in line with Azerbaijan's national interests. He emphasized that under a project being implemented, similar events are to be held in the two South Caucasus republics Azerbaijan and Georgia. The project envisions work on such provisions as "Open the border" and "Peacekeeping mission". The MP said that "Armenian realities" would sound during the "Days of Armenia" that could be held in Azerbaijan.