Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb.22 /Trend S. Agayeva/
Delegation of Azerbaijan and Armenia participated in the opening performance of the Musical Theater headed by Mikhail Shvidkoy in the frame of recommendations made by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents on further development of humanitarian cooperation on Feb.21. The Chairman of the Russian State Duma Sergey Narishkin, famous art and culture figures, members of the public and the Diaspora attended the event, Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia said.
A "round table" on The role of social and cultural cooperation in the strengthening of inter-ethnic dialogue and conflict resolution with the participation of the representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia was held at the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation on February 22.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu, Rector of Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, people's artist Farhad Badalbeyli, rector of Baku Slavic University, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan Professor Kamal Abdulla, rector of Azerbaijan State National Conservatory Siyavush Kerimi and director of the State Philharmonic Hall Murad Adigozalzadeh represented Azerbaijan at the meeting.
Armenian Ambassador to Russia Oleg Yesayan, Deputy National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Hermine Naghdalyan, Rector of State Theater and Cinematography Institute Armen Mazmanian, editor-in-chief of Aravot newspaper Aram Abramyan and director of Rolan Bykov Foundation Nune Manukyan represented Armenia.
President's special representative for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvidkoy, first deputy chairman of the Public Chamber Mikhail Ostrovskiy, head of the Public Chamber's working group on international cooperation and public diplomacy Alexander Sokolov, member of the Russian Public Chamber's commission for tolerance and freedom of conscience Alla Gerber and member of the Russian Public Chamber's commission on support for mass media Andrey Dementyev also attended the meeting, executive director of the Humanitarian Cooperation Foundation of the CIS Armen Smbatyan represented Russia.
Deputy Secretary of the Public Chamber of Russia, Mikhail Ostrovskiy greeted the participants of the "round table". He informed the guests about the structure, aims and objectives of the Public Chamber and noted the importance and topicality of the theme that they would discuss.
Dementyev said about the necessity of cultural dialogue between the representatives of the independent states, which will promote mutual understanding. Gerber supported Dementyev's position and said the organization of mutual funds, festivals, "round tables" with participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia - will be a good ground for mutual contacts.
Shvidkoy said it is the first meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals after two years. And the Public Chamber, representing different sectors of civil society, can become the platform for a discussion on which they can act not as the warring parties, but as opponents.
Thanking for the opportunity to host the meeting of delegations of the two republics, Azerbaijan Ambassador Bulbuloglu said there are representatives of civil society who do not make the task of resolving political issues. "It is the prerogative of the presidents of both countries and they do a great job in this direction. We, as members of the public, want to create a favorable environment that would help policy makers in dealing with conflict. Two neighboring nations still live near each other and it is important that this coexistence became possible. We can not allow the younger generation that grew up during the conflict, experienced only enmity and hatred to each other," Bulbuloglu said.
Later, the ambassador recalled that the first trip was organized between the representatives of the intellectuals of the two republics and Armenian ambassador to Russia A.Smbatyan to the Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2007. The meetings were held with the presidents of both countries.
Then, Bulbuloglu said that it caused an ambiguous reaction in the society. "Someone has supported them, but there were many critics. They are not scared. The mission of public diplomacy reiterated its trip along the same route in 2009. There were more supporters.
The tours of the Youth Symphonic Orchestra of the CIS countries headed by outstanding musician Vladimir Spivakov to several Commonwealth countries, including Azerbaijan and Armenia were organized by the International Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS member states in September of 2010. The public reaction of the two republics was positive, confirming our position that these actions are necessary, Bulbuloglu said.
The meetings with deputies of the two republics were also organized in Moscow. They had quite a constructive dialogue. Editors-in-chief of Azerbaijani and Armenian media managed to meet.
The ambassador stressed the role of Azerbaijani and Armenian media. Unfortunately, it does not always form a normal background to conduct a political dialogue. He stressed the importance of social responsibility of the press in terms of the conflict, the inadmissibility of inciting hatred and insulting. Bulbuloglu put forward the idea of a new meeting of editors-in-chief of leading Azerbaijani and Armenian newspapers and electronic media in Moscow.
Ambassador of Armenia Oleg Yesayan, Hermine Naghdalyan, and others spoke from Armenian side. They supported the need for dialogue between the representatives of two republics, conduction and participation in joint activities and thanked the Russian side for provision of the possibility to organize such meetings in Russia.
Civil society should take more active position professor Farhad Badalbeyli said. He noted that in spite of everything it is necessary to carry out cultural projects together, not retreating from each other and go forward, because the hatred is the way to nowhere.
Kamal Abdulla said about the necessity for a dialogue that leads to understanding.
Each of the participants of the "round table" made proposals aimed at rapprochement and cooperation.