Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova delivered a speech at the Interparliamentary Conference The Role and Best Practices of the Legislature in the Protection of Cultural Heritage held on the format of the VI World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. As she greeted the guests on behalf of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova wished success to the Interparliamentary Conference arranged in the context of VI World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.

Sahiba Gafarova mentioned the start of the 6th World Forum of Intercultural Dialogue yesterday. The main idea of this forum is already known from the speech of His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev at the opening ceremony and discussions held during the day. This event promotes dialogue, mutual trust and understanding, according to the speaker of Milli Majlis, who said that it is only through dialogue that tensions and conflicts can be reduced, dividing lines eliminated and a sincere exchange of views begun on the way to building bridges between different cultures, religions and views.

Continuing, Sahiba Gafarova remarked that the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue has evolved as one of the principal global platforms for intercultural and interreligious dialogue since its inception at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev. It is no coincidence that Azerbaijan has made outstanding achievements in the implementing of that initiative. Situated on the juncture of the East and the West, Azerbaijan is a home to diverse ethnic and religious groups which live together in dignity, peace and friendship. Nowadays, our society is guided by the values crystallised over centuries. Multiculturalism is a way of life with our nation and country. According to the Speaker of the Milli Majlis, today’s conference taking place on the sidelines of the 6^th Forum demonstrates the significance of parliamentary approach to intercultural dialogue. We as representatives of our people and Members of Parliament possess are equipped remarkably to take part in the search for the best possible solutions. And as we are assembled here today, we shall try to make a contribution of our very own to the current discourse, Mrs Gafarova continued.

The Speaker said then that the topicality of today’s conference is of special important for the advancing of intercultural dialogue because cultural heritage embodies the uniqueness, history, traditions and values of people. It takes proper institutional and legislative approaches to preserve this heritage and hand it down generations. Another prerequisite is all the concerned parties’ active involvement in this process. In this sense, our parliaments have important parts to play not only nationally but also on the international level. Dialogue and combining efforts as well as exchanging experience will help us achieve our common goals and further enrich our joint work.  

Continuing her speech, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis said also that only with respect for the cultural heritage of others can we promote our own values and engage in a constructive intercultural dialogue for a better world. The Speaker regretted that the preservation of cultural heritage remained a challenge to be addressed still. Conflicts and wars continue to pose a serious threat in this sense. In her opinion, the international conventions regulating this area are still not properly respected. Sahiba Gafarova told the audience that the thirty-year Armenian occupation of 20 per cent of Azerbaijan's territory had had disastrous consequences for our cultural heritage in the occupied areas. Hundreds of objects of our cultural heritage were deliberately destroyed, looted, misappropriated and taken away. These actions were a serious violation of Armenia's obligations under international law to respect and protect cultural heritage. Then, Sahiba Gafarova told the audience that large-scale reconstruction works are being carried out in the de-occupied territories. One of the main priorities of these works is the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage in these areas. As the Speaker noted, Azerbaijan's cultural heritage represents the heritage of all the ethnic and religious groups that have lived here for centuries. There are monuments of different religions and cultures, mosques, churches and synagogues standing side by side. This cultural diversity is a strength of our society whilst respect for the pertaining values constitutes one of the chief currents of the state policy. All the monuments of history and religion are under state protection, according to the Speaker of the Milli Majlis who mentioned the restoration and preservation of hundreds of those monuments at the public expense. She was then talking about the existing cultural heritage protection legislative frameworks as the Speaker of the Milli Majlis described the legislative work to that end as a significant aspect of a complex approach taken to the topic in our country.

The numerous laws passed by our Parliament – including the Culture and Preservation of Monuments of History and Culture laws, many others and many amendments – proved extremely significant in building up an effective legislative framework in that field. The Speaker said that our Parliament held periodical public hearings covering various aspects of cultural heritage preservation. Such hearings enable us consult all the stakeholders and take their opinions into account in the eventual legislative processes. Besides, the active co-operation of the specialised committee of our Parliament, the Culture Committee, with the Ministry of Culture speaks of efficient interaction between Parliament and the Government in the drafting, adoption and implementation of relevant legislation.

In addition, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said that Azerbaijan's efforts to safeguard cultural heritage are not limited to national borders. Consistent steps are taken to restore and preserve cultural heritage considered as the common legacy of humanity in different countries. The significant contributions of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation led by First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva to this work provide invaluable support to preservation of cultural heritage of humanity and to the done to promote intercultural dialogue. At the end of her speech, the Milli Majlis Speaker once again emphasised the importance of today's event and expressed confidence that the discussions would bear important fruit and make significant contribution to joint efforts.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis