Bucharest forum addresses matter of returning to Western Azerbaijan

The Bucharest Forum, titled "Azerbaijan - Guarantor of Global Security in the South Caucasus," focused on the issue of return to Western Azerbaijan and was held in the capital of Romania.

The event was organized by the public association "Support for Youth Initiative and Development," with the assistance of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations. It was officially partnered with one of Romania's leading think tanks, the Ion Conea Geopolitical Association, and received informational support from the esteemed political journal Geopolitica.

According to Azertag, the forum saw participation from representatives of NGOs, think tanks, academia, and media outlets based in Bucharest.

Toghrul Allahverdi, the chairman of the public association "Support for Youth Initiative and Development," spoke at the event, outlining the forum's objectives. He emphasized the importance of the international community's joint efforts in addressing the long-standing issue of displacement to prevent similar issues in the future. Tanzilya Rustamkhanli, the chair of the Azerbaijan-Türkiye Women's Society and the Azerbaijan-Türkiye House, highlighted in her speech that the truth cannot be hidden forever and will eventually come to light. She stated that falsehoods are often presented as truths because they serve the interests of global powers.

Professor Costel Negrichea, rector of the Romanian-American University, and Vasile Simileanu, president of the Ion Conea Geopolitical Association, delivered presentations on the legal frameworks concerning refugee issues and the international community's obligations. They discussed bringing the refugees' plight to global attention, the return of Azerbaijani refugees, and developing appropriate strategies and mechanisms to protect their rights. There was hope expressed for the eventual return of Azerbaijani refugees to their homeland.

Following the official speeches, panel discussions were organized.

During the panel discussion "European Approach to Refugee Issues and Solutions," moderated by renowned Romanian political scientist Sorin Dobricianu, board member of the Azerbaijan Press Council Agil Alesker, head of the "Vetenninfo" information agency Nahid Janbakhishli, and doctoral candidate at Bucharest University Salatin Shamilova, the problems of refugees, contemporary strategies for their protection and reintegration, issues faced by female refugees, and cooperation with European Union partner countries on refugee and migration issues were discussed.

In conclusion, a call was made on behalf of Azerbaijani refugees to the international community.

The event also featured a photo exhibition showcasing the heritage of Azerbaijanis in Western Azerbaijan.