Azerbaijani community in Austria appeals to Archbishop Franz Lackner

Azerbaijani community living in Austria has protested against erroneous statements by Archbishop Franz Lackner of Salzburg about the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in his interview with Information Christian Orient magazine.

AZERTAC reports that the appeal addressed to Franz Lackner on behalf of the head of the Austrian Azerbaijanis Society, head of the Azerbaijan House in Salzburg Farid Azizov, expresses disappointment of Azerbaijanis living in Austria. It notes that tsarist Russia and the Soviet regime patronized Armenians, Stalin wanted to give Armenians the highland part of Karabakh and Nakhchivan, but could not do it; using this patronage, Armenians and the Republic of Armenia conducted aggressive, occupation and terrorist policy against Azerbaijan in the 20th century, carried out acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing.

The appeal details that four UN Security Council resolutions demanding the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from occupation have not been implemented for almost 30 years, so the Republic of Azerbaijan had to implement these resolutions on its own within the framework of international law.

It mentions that historical sources prove that the churches in Karabakh are ancient Albanian temples and Armenians did not live in Karabakh at the time when Albanians built these temples, emphasizing that there is no republic called "Artsakh" and the Azerbaijani state carefully protects these temples. The appeal noted that Armenian aggressors have barbarously destroyed Azerbaijani cultural centers in the Karabakh region, which are unique samples of world culture.

As emphasized in response to Lackner's statement that "Russia is now using the weapons of Armenian soldiers from Nagorno-Karabakh against Ukraine," a Russian military base is located in Gyumri on Armenian territory. In addition, since the first days of the Russia-Ukraine war, Armenia has been sending weapons and manpower to Russia, which is its military ally.

It was brought to the Bishop's attention that in Azerbaijan, where there have always been traditions of tolerance and multiculturalism, ethnic Armenians - citizens of the country - lived very comfortably and safely. For the last three years, official Baku has repeatedly stated that ethnic Armenians living in Karabakh would be allowed to stay in the country if they accepted Azerbaijani citizenship, the Azerbaijani state, showing humanity, provided them with fuel and food, but the Armenians voluntarily left Karabakh.

Head of the Austrian Azerbaijanis society invited Bishop Franz Lackner to visit Azerbaijan to see how representatives of different nationalities living in the country coexist in peace and friendship and affirmed readiness to accompany him in this trip.