Azernews.Az

Azerbaijani lawmakers have condemned a recent visit by a group of local NGO and media representatives to Armenia, with which Azerbaijan faces a long-running conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh.
The unprecedented event entitled "Week of Azerbaijan" was organized at the Yerevan-based Mkhitar Sebastatsi school in an effort to defuse tension between the two countries. It was attended by an Azerbaijani delegation comprising journalist Seymur Baychan, representatives of the Helsinki Civil Watch regional office and four NGO leaders.
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, saying it was not formed by mere chance and terming them as persons adhering to anti-Azerbaijan stance. Oruj said they should not represent the country as they "actually represent Armenian views in Azerbaijan".
"These persons have always been a target of criticism in Azerbaijan," the parliament member 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.
"I therefore believe that it is inappropriate to merely pit those visiting an enemy state against public condemnation. It should be determined where the line is crossed, and those paying such visits should face sanctions. The parliament, for its part, should pass a serious law in this regard. The issue is not limited to moral considerations," the lawmaker said.
The president of the National NGO Forum Azay Guliyev also condemned the Azerbaijani delegation’s participation at the event under way in the Armenian capital. He said that as confirmed by public opinion and the government’s intransigent stance, forging ties with Armenia is unacceptable until it ends occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories.
"But unfortunately, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim has justified the Azerbaijani delegation’s participation at the event. This position shows that we are divided on the issue of relations with Armenia," Guliyev said.
He maintained that the Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vladimir Karapetian has stated a similar stance.
Guliyev believes that visits between the two countries meet Armenians’ interests more, as they are using this in their efforts to form an image of peace-lovers in the international arena.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict for over a decade. Peace talks kicked off after a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but have brought little tangible result so far. Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts despite four standing UN resolutions on unconditional pullout of its armed forces and condemnation by a number of other international organizations.*