Baku event builds East-West bridges
Ministers of 16 European countries on Tuesday
gathered in Azerbaijan, a country named a bridge between Eastern
and Western cultures during the ongoing conference on
inter-cultural dialogue that seeks to foster unity among world
nations.
The two-day gathering of the Council of Europe culture ministers, entitled "Intercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development in Europe and its neighbouring regions``, is the first ministerial level encounter devoted to enforcing the crucial CE paper on intercultural dialogue published in May as well as its recommendations regarding culture and heritage.
President Ilham Aliyev, who attended the conference, said holding such an event in Baku would tremendously contribute to the strengthening of dialogue among cultures. He said the fact that the function was taking place in the Azerbaijani capital indicated that the South Caucasus republic has accomplished great success in the area of religious and ethnic tolerance, and its experience could serve as a good example for other countries.
"People in Azerbaijan have always lived as one family, and representatives of all creeds have co-existed here in the conditions of friendship and brotherhood. This is a very important factor inherent to our country. Today, Azerbaijan is a real area of friendship and brotherhood."
Aliyev went on to say that Azerbaijan has been a member of the CE for eight years, and throughout this time, the country has been advancing rapidly toward democracy by pursuing reforms and meeting its international commitments.
The president said Azerbaijan was content with its relations with the CE, expressing confidence that this cooperation would continue to develop successfully.
Speaking of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict, the greatest source of threats for the region, and the problems it has caused for Azerbaijan and other regional states, he accused Yerevan of turning a blind eye to the resolutions of the CE, the United Nations and other influential international organizations. Aliyev stressed that the long-standing dispute has adversely affected Azerbaijan`s cultural heritage. He cited specific proof of these facts, reminding participants of the conference that the OSCE`s fact-finding mission had earlier issued a report confirming the barbaric destruction of Azerbaijani historical monuments, educational institutions, museums, mosques and ancient graves in the Armenia-occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Speaking afterwards, the Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis said inter-cultural dialogue was one of the top issues of concern for mankind. He stressed that sustainable dialogue among cultures and civilizations plays the role of bonds that hold society together.
"Continuous intercultural dialogue is the "social glue" that we need inside our societies. It is an antidote to intolerance, division and violence. Dialogue is not an ideology, and it is not a recipe for blind application, abstracting from particular political contexts. But if we make sure that diversity is valued, that diverse individuals engage with each other as fellow human beings, and that people have the opportunity to engage in dialogue, then there is a chance for all of us and future generations to live in a better world - with mutual respect, justice and safety."
The CE secretary general highlighted that Azerbaijan had not been selected as a venue for such a conference by mere chance.
"Baku in Azerbaijan is a unique place. It has been at the crossroads of different cultures throughout its history and a natural bridge between East and West and between North and South," Davis said, adding that by hosting such events, Azerbaijan was opening up its doors to the rest of the world.
According to Davis, inter-cultural dialogue should not be confined to international forums and is to cover countries around the globe.
Davis emphasized the importance of the Baku conference, saying that, for the first time, along with the culture ministers of European countries, such an event is attended by their counterparts from Islamic states.
"It is indeed the first Conference of Ministers of Culture of Council of Europe member states organised in a composition which goes beyond the geographical boundaries of the Council of Europe and which associates ministers from neighbouring regions. It is intended to reflect jointly on "intercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development" and on the common ground for future action," Davis said.
At the invitation of the Azerbaijani authorities, the conference gathers the 49 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention and the ministers of certain member states of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization and of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). Over 250 people, including 16 ministers, 18 deputy ministers, and the heads of 10 international organizations, are attending the event. Attendees include senior officials of the European Commission and UNESCO. Participants are expected to adopt the Baku Declaration on intercultural dialogue in conclusion. The document envisages the practical means in realizing dialogue between Europe and its neighboring regions.
The two-day gathering of the Council of Europe culture ministers, entitled "Intercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development in Europe and its neighbouring regions``, is the first ministerial level encounter devoted to enforcing the crucial CE paper on intercultural dialogue published in May as well as its recommendations regarding culture and heritage.
President Ilham Aliyev, who attended the conference, said holding such an event in Baku would tremendously contribute to the strengthening of dialogue among cultures. He said the fact that the function was taking place in the Azerbaijani capital indicated that the South Caucasus republic has accomplished great success in the area of religious and ethnic tolerance, and its experience could serve as a good example for other countries.
"People in Azerbaijan have always lived as one family, and representatives of all creeds have co-existed here in the conditions of friendship and brotherhood. This is a very important factor inherent to our country. Today, Azerbaijan is a real area of friendship and brotherhood."
Aliyev went on to say that Azerbaijan has been a member of the CE for eight years, and throughout this time, the country has been advancing rapidly toward democracy by pursuing reforms and meeting its international commitments.
The president said Azerbaijan was content with its relations with the CE, expressing confidence that this cooperation would continue to develop successfully.
Speaking of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict, the greatest source of threats for the region, and the problems it has caused for Azerbaijan and other regional states, he accused Yerevan of turning a blind eye to the resolutions of the CE, the United Nations and other influential international organizations. Aliyev stressed that the long-standing dispute has adversely affected Azerbaijan`s cultural heritage. He cited specific proof of these facts, reminding participants of the conference that the OSCE`s fact-finding mission had earlier issued a report confirming the barbaric destruction of Azerbaijani historical monuments, educational institutions, museums, mosques and ancient graves in the Armenia-occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Speaking afterwards, the Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis said inter-cultural dialogue was one of the top issues of concern for mankind. He stressed that sustainable dialogue among cultures and civilizations plays the role of bonds that hold society together.
"Continuous intercultural dialogue is the "social glue" that we need inside our societies. It is an antidote to intolerance, division and violence. Dialogue is not an ideology, and it is not a recipe for blind application, abstracting from particular political contexts. But if we make sure that diversity is valued, that diverse individuals engage with each other as fellow human beings, and that people have the opportunity to engage in dialogue, then there is a chance for all of us and future generations to live in a better world - with mutual respect, justice and safety."
The CE secretary general highlighted that Azerbaijan had not been selected as a venue for such a conference by mere chance.
"Baku in Azerbaijan is a unique place. It has been at the crossroads of different cultures throughout its history and a natural bridge between East and West and between North and South," Davis said, adding that by hosting such events, Azerbaijan was opening up its doors to the rest of the world.
According to Davis, inter-cultural dialogue should not be confined to international forums and is to cover countries around the globe.
Davis emphasized the importance of the Baku conference, saying that, for the first time, along with the culture ministers of European countries, such an event is attended by their counterparts from Islamic states.
"It is indeed the first Conference of Ministers of Culture of Council of Europe member states organised in a composition which goes beyond the geographical boundaries of the Council of Europe and which associates ministers from neighbouring regions. It is intended to reflect jointly on "intercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development" and on the common ground for future action," Davis said.
At the invitation of the Azerbaijani authorities, the conference gathers the 49 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention and the ministers of certain member states of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization and of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). Over 250 people, including 16 ministers, 18 deputy ministers, and the heads of 10 international organizations, are attending the event. Attendees include senior officials of the European Commission and UNESCO. Participants are expected to adopt the Baku Declaration on intercultural dialogue in conclusion. The document envisages the practical means in realizing dialogue between Europe and its neighboring regions.
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