Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 18 / Trend , J.Babayeva/
Although Azerbaijan is a young independent state, the country contributes to strengthening solidarity and unity among Islamic countries, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a ceremony proclaiming Baku the "Islamic Cultural Capital 2009."
"With its policies and activities, Azerbaijan is bringing together Islamic countries," Aliyev said.
Islamic states should support each other. Their solidarity in the international arena is necessary to ensure peace and security in the world, he said.
"As a result of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan, historical monuments, mosques and museums are being destroyed in the occupied territories. Azerbaijan cannot protect the historical and cultural monuments in the occupied territories. International observers admit the destruction. Undoubtedly, Azerbaijan will rebuild the historical and cultural monuments after the liberation of these lands. But this requires resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and ensuring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," Aliyev said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
The ISESCO condemns the destruction of cultural monuments in the occupied territories, ISESCO Secretary General Abdulaziz Bin Osman Al Twaijri said at the ceremony. He called on the international community to assist in preventing their destruction.
Islam is a religion of brotherhood and tolerance and should be represented in the world along these lines, Aliyev said.
"The Islamic world has a rich cultural heritage," he added.
Baku became the Islamic Cultural Capital 2009. The decision was made at the Fifth Islamic Conference of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Member States cultural ministers in Tripoli in November 2007.
The official proclaiming ceremony is taking place at the Heydar Aliyev Palace on Feb. 18.
Al Twaijri, four ministers and deputy ministers of Islamic states and representatives of international organizations and European cultural capitals are attending.
"I am pleased to be here today. We are glad that Baku has become a cultural capital of the Islamic world. I congratulate the city's residents," Al Twaijri told Trend .
A Web site dedicated to the event is expected to open on Feb. 18.
The "Baku" photo exhibition will also open at the Center Museum at 16:00. Works by Azerbaijani and foreign photographers will be exhibited.
Over 100 events will be held as part of Baku's celebrating the Islamic Cultural Capital 2009 award.
The logo and flag of the event were designed by an Azerbaijani painter and designer. The logo depicts an Azerbaijani carpet and Maiden's Tower.
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