An event on the topic "The realities of Western Azerbaijan in the Armenian media: lies and truths" was held at the International Eurasian Press Foundation (IEPF).
On March 7, an event on the topic “The realities of Western Azerbaijan in the Armenian media: lies and truths” was held at the IEPF, organized by the “Cosmoline” Translation and Research Center, the Western Azerbaijan Research Center of the Azerbaijan State University of Political Science and Law, and the Ombudsman’s Law Center.
Opening the event with an introductory speech, the chairman of the Ombudsman’s Law Center, lawyer Samad Vakilov, spoke about the importance of investigating the topic of Western Azerbaijan and providing objective information to the public. He said that at different times, information about Western Azerbaijan was distorted and presented, and therefore it is of particular importance to approach the issue from both a legal and historical perspective. According to him, the study of archival materials, international documents, and historical sources helps to uncover the truth.
Later, Tunzala Asadova, executive director of the “Cosmoline” Translation and Research Center, said that, unfortunately, materials about Western Azerbaijan are presented in Armenian media resources in a one-sided or distorted manner. For this reason, the study of this information, its comparative analysis and the presentation of a fact-based approach are of particular importance. It is for this reason that we have studied, collected, translated and analyzed these materials. T. Asadova added that the translation and analysis of the materials in question will be of great service to the formation of a healthier information environment in the region.
In her speech, Leyla Jalalova, head of the Center for Western Azerbaijan Studies, emphasized the importance of studying the topic on a scientific basis. She noted that Armenians have attempted to take possession not only of historical lands, but also of the national and spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people. According to her, most of the information disseminated in Armenian sources on the topic of Western Azerbaijan is presented in a falsified and distorted manner, and extensive scientific research should be conducted to reveal the essence of such claims.
In his speech, IEPF President Umud Mirzayev, who hosted the event, said that Baku has historically been known as an international city. According to him, anti-Turkish and anti-Azerbaijani ideology has been propagated in Armenian society for many years. Mirzayev emphasized that it is important to prepare projects reflecting the life and activities of prominent figures of Western Azerbaijan, and IEPF constantly supports the coverage of these topics.
Galib Gasimov, the head of the staff of the Western Azerbaijan Community, noted the importance of carefully monitoring the information disseminated in the Armenian media on the topic of Western Azerbaijan. He said that tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis were forcibly resettled from these territories at different times, and these facts are confirmed by historical documents. G. Gasimov added that the issue of the return of Western Azerbaijanis to their native lands is being discussed within the framework of international law.
Anar Irzaguliyev, the person responsible for youth work of the Western Azerbaijan Community, emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory in his speech and noted the importance of young people learning the history of their ancestral lands.
Hasan Ahmadov, an expert on the Caucasus region of the Cosmoline Translation and Research Center, project manager and chief translator, drew attention to the distortion of some materials distributed in the Armenian media regarding Western Azerbaijan during the presentation. He said that the presentation examined the approach of both the Armenian government and the opposition to the topic.
Also speaking at the event were students of the Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL), historian-scientist Mammad Valiyev, head of the Saral village community Anar Osmanli, and founder and editor-in-chief of the Butov Azerbaijan newspaper Tamkhil Ziyeddinoglu, who shared their views on the topic and emphasized the importance of research conducted in this direction.
A video clip on falsified materials authored by H. Ahmadov was shown as part of the event.
At the end, a commemorative photo was taken in connection with the event.
