PACE committee discusses preservation of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage

A meeting of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is currently taking place in Paris, with the Azerbaijani parliament represented by MP Rafael Huseynov.

According to AZERTAG, on the first day of the meeting, on December 5, issues regarding climate change and cultural heritage were discussed. MP Huseynov noted in his speech that the topic of cultural heritage is of special importance to Azerbaijan and that all the cultural and historical heritage of Azerbaijan on the Armenian-occupied territories had been destroyed over 30 years.

Huseynov identified two main sources of threats to cultural heritage, namely human and natural.

"It would seem that the threats that nature can represent are more widespread and destructive, but in fact the situation is exactly the opposite. Our wise nature sometimes allows us to take measures to prevent possible dangers. In recent times, global climate change is no longer at the forefront of these threats. We cannot affect climate change. But it is possible to avoid the damage that climate change can do to cultural heritage, and work in this direction should continue on a regular basis", the MP said.

He recalled that a number of historical monuments both in Azerbaijan and in other European countries are under threat of extinction and stressed the importance of developing common laws for their preservation and further urged on the importance of attracting the attention of UNESCO to the protection of Gobustan and other similar historical places in the world with ancient rock inscriptions and drawings.

"Protection from the effects of climate change of, for example, open-air museums, cave drawings and inscriptions, which are thousands of years old, requires serious scientific research. Each of these monuments is of great importance to humanity, no matter in which country located. The preservation of this heritage requires great responsibility", the MP concluded.

On December 7 the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of PACE will commende, with MP Nigar Arpadarai attending, according to the National Majlis (Parliament). Arpadarai simultaneously chairs PACE Sub-Committee on Public Health and Sustainable Development.