Discussion on 'Azerbaijani Anti-Armenianism as a Threat to Armenian Identity'

A public discussion titled "Azerbaijani Anti-Armenianism as a Threat to Armenian Identity" is taking place in Yerevan. Our region is at the center of geopolitical interests and clashes between various superpowers, and we must have a real understanding of all this.

During the discussion on Azerbaijani anti-Armenianism as a threat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh, Davit Babayan, stated that anti-Armenianism in Azerbaijan is a state ideology, which should not be forgotten. He said, "Anti-Armenianism in Azerbaijan is of an objective nature. The problem is not among the people; Armenian civilization should not be based on hatred. Hatred does not allow for an objective assessment of the situation because there are no good and bad nations; there are bad and good states. We must separate nationalism and patriotism."

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh, the state-sponsored anti-Armenian policy in Azerbaijan stems from the fact that the people is still in a formation process. He remarked, "The process of formation of the Azerbaijani people is not yet completed; this is the reality."

During the discussion, a booklet titled "The Propaganda of Hatred Against Armenians in Azerbaijan Among School-Aged Children" will also be presented. The speakers include Davit Babayan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh; Ruben Melkonyan, Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies at Yerevan State University, Turkologist, and Doctor of Historical Sciences; Ashot Melkonyan, Director of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and Doctor of Historical Sciences; Larisa Alaverdyan, the first Human Rights Defender of Armenia; and Suren Petrosyan, President of the 'Democratic Alliance' party and political scientist.