When I was invited to visit Azerbaijan, with the invitation of The Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) and Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA), I had no doubts that this would be a great opportunity to provide some insights of what I believe is just and important to work toward reconciliation between two nations that are destined to be neighboring countries from today to eternity, The Caspian Post reports citing Eurasia Review.
The observations underlined in my research represent my two extensive weeks of research throughout the country, over thirty years of my professional experience in cultural diplomacy, numerous interviews with individuals as well as several visits in the sites, but as result of a much earlier interest in the region which of course culminates during my time serving as the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania in Azerbaijan, 2013-2016.
A brief history of modern Azerbaijan (known by the ancient name as Caucasian Albania).
The Republic of Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, has a rich history shaped by its geography and cultural diversity. The region has been a hub for trade, conquest, and cultural exchange for millennia. Modern Azerbaijan began with the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) on May 28, 1918. It was the first secular democratic republic, introducing universal suffrage and a progressive constitution. However, the ADR lasted only 23 months before being incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1920.
As part of the USSR, Azerbaijan underwent significant industrialization and modernization, becoming a major center for oil production. The discovery of vast oil and gas reserves in Baku in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had already made the region a focal point for global energy interests. During the Soviet era, Azerbaijan also saw cultural and educational advancements but faced restrictions on national identity and political autonomy.
As the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and the growing nationalist movements led to Azerbaijan’s declaration of independence on August 30, 1991. In 1988-1989, hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis were forcibly deported from their historical lands in Armenia in a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing. By the end of 1989, not a single Azerbaijani remained in Armenia.
The early years of independence were marked by turmoil, including economic difficulties and the Armenian Azerbaijani conflict, which began in 1988 and resulted in significant territorial losses for Azerbaijan. A ceasefire in 1994 left Armenia in control of Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and seven surrounding districts, creating a protracted frozen conflict.
Under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, who became president in 1993, Azerbaijan achieved relative stability. President Aliyev introduced reforms to attract foreign investment, particularly in the energy sector. The signing of the “Contract of the Century” in 1994 brought major international oil companies to develop Azerbaijan’s Caspian oil fields, transforming the country into a significant player in global energy markets.
Since 2003, President Ilham Aliyev, Heydar Aliyev’s son, has continued to develop Azerbaijan’s economy, particularly through oil and gas exports. In 2020, Azerbaijan achieved a major victory in the Second Karabakh War, regaining much of the territory lost in the 1990s. The conflict was resolved through a Russian-brokered ceasefire and reshaped regional dynamics. On September 20, 2023, Azerbaijan conducted local counter-terrorism measures against illegal Armenian armed groups in the Karabakh economic region. The operation aimed to restore the country’s sovereignty and ensure stability in the area.
Today, Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing country balancing economic modernization, geopolitical challenges, and efforts to strengthen its national identity. A major challenge and a condition for lasting peace remains now the “Protections, Preservation, and Restorations of Azerbaijani Historical and Cultural Heritage in Armenia”:
Referring the report from the AIR Center published in 2021 https://aircenter.az/uploads/files/Cultural%20Appropriation.pdf based on the inventory of historical and cultural heritage sites, before the First Karabakh War (1988-1994), the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan was home to 706 historic and cultural monuments: 11 monuments of global importance (6 of them architectural and 5 archaeological), 240 of state importance (119 architectural and 121 archeological), and 455 of local importance (393 architectural, 22 archaeological, 23 parks and memorial monuments, and 17 decorative artworks).
However, 22 museums containing more than 100,000 artifacts, 927 libraries possessing 4.6 million books, 85 music schools, 4 theaters, 2 concert halls, 4 art galleries, and 808 recreational venues were destroyed as a result of the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the nearby regions, as well as the seven districts of Gazakh and the village of Karki in Nakhchivan, situated on the border with Armenia. According to recent estimates, within the newly liberated territories returned to Azerbaijan as a result of the Second Karabakh War, over 400 monuments have been destroyed.
The destruction or neglect of Azerbaijani cultural heritage sites is a critical issue affecting the peace process. Restoration and protection of these sites can serve as steps toward reconciliation by recognizing and respecting the cultural and historical legacies of both nations.
Preserving such sites not only aligns with international cultural protection norms but also fosters mutual respect, an essential foundation for durable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The preservation, protection, and restoration of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Armenia are vital for building a foundation of trust, respect, and cooperation. By preserving these sites, Armenia can acknowledge the shared history of the region, promote reconciliation, and pave the way for lasting peace. This commitment to heritage can serve as a symbolic and practical gesture of goodwill, addressing historical grievances and creating pathways for dialogue, unity, and understanding between the two nations.
Genci Muçaj
