Organized by the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Administration of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve, an event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s membership of UNESCO was held on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry’s press service told APA.

The event was attended by members of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, state officials, ambassadors accredited in Azerbaijan, as well as prominent local scientists, cultural figures and artists.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan is committed to UNESCO values. He noted that under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership Azerbaijan has established close relations with UNESCOin the field of education, science and culture and, as a result, it has become a reputable member and a donor country of UNESCO.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the minister said that 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory was occupied by Armenian armed forces, as a result of which, historical and cultural monuments of Azerbaijan, schools and libraries, as well as mosques and tombs were deliberately destroyed. The minister specifically drew attention to the fact that these abusive acts committed against Azerbaijan by Armenia have been constantly raised before UNESCO.

Source    en.apa.az