The OSCE has placed great importance on the protection and preservation of objects of cultural heritage since the organization’s inception, the Polish OSCE Chairmanship said in a statement in response to a query from Armenpress regarding multiple local and international reports that the Azerbaijani authorities are destroying Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), as well as regarding the possible measures of the OSCE structures on the matter.
“The OSCE has placed great importance on the protection and preservation of objects of cultural heritage since the organization’s inception. As early as June 1991 at the Cracow Symposium on Cultural Heritage, the then-CSCE participating states pledged “to endeavor to protect cultural heritage in compliance with relevant international agreements.” Additionally, the participating states committed to cooperating closely with religious faiths, institutions and organizations “regarding the preservation of the cultural heritage and pay due attention to monuments and objects of religious origin,” the Polish OSCE Chairmanship said, referring to the full text of the Symposium document.
The Polish OSCE Chairmanship noted that the preservation of Armenian historical and cultural monuments has been on the agenda of the Permanent Council, and that the Polish OSCE Chairmanship fully supports all relevant OSCE structures, including the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co‑Chairs in their endeavors towards achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace.
“The Polish OSCE Chairmanship considers the protection of all historical and cultural monuments as our joint commitment. The preservation of Armenian historical and cultural monuments has been on the agenda of the Permanent Council. Against this backdrop, the Polish OSCE Chairmanship fully supports all relevant OSCE structures, including the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co‑Chairs in their endeavors towards achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace. It would considerably improve the security, stability and prosperity of the entire region and safeguard the protection of all historical and cultural monuments,” the Polish OSCE Chairmanship added.
The Polish OSCE Chairmanship did not comment on the implementation of the ICJ rulings and the activities of other international organizations in the region.
Earlier it was reported that the European Parliament passed the resolution "On the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh" with 635 votes in favor, 2 against and 42 abstentions.
