Doc. 9977

13 October 2003

State of Azerbaijan cultural monuments in the territories occupied by Armenia

Written question No 439 to the Committee of Ministers

presented by Mr R. Huseynov

      Considering that the military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan resulting in the occupation of 20 % of Azerbaijani lands posed grave challenges to the cultural sphere;

      Noting that the occupied territories (Daglig Garabagh and seven adjacent regions) still are not liberated and therefore Azerbaijan society is not aware of the real state of the national cultural monuments in this part of Azerbaijan;

      Taking into account that most of these monuments are of world importance, namely the Azikh cave (Fizuti region) being one of the first centres of settlement of the ancient people of the Palaeolithic period and have been facing the danger of destruction,

      Mr Huseynov

      To ask the Committee of Ministers,

      1. If the Committee of Ministers is aware of the danger posed through armed conflict to this part of the European heritage;

      2. Whether the Committee of Ministers could respectively request the Govenrment of Armenia to provide information on the real situation of the cultural monuments, including of the Azikh cave in the territories occupied by Armenia.

Signed ¹:

R. Huseynov, Azerbaijan, LDR

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group