Karabakh: In recent days, emotional statements from Russia and hysterical approaches by some media outlets regarding the removal of a statue of Ivan Aivazovsky-a Russian academic, classical, and romantic painter of Armenian origin-have unfortunately overshadowed the political and legal essence of the issue. This matter is not an act of disrespect towards Russian culture or an act of nationalism. On the contrary, the statue was illegally erected in Karabakh-an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan-without Azerbaijan’s consent, under the patronage of separatists and the Russian military contingent. This illegal installation occurred after the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, in which Russia itself recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Azerbaijan is fully entitled to dismantle an illegally erected monument. This matter should be evaluated within the framework of respect for state sovereignty and international law, and should not be turned into a tool for manipulation or political pressure.
Advisor to the Academy of Public Administration under the President and Chairman of the Baku Political Scientists Club, Zaur Mammadov, emphasized in his statement to APA that the artificial hysteria being created around the removal of Aivazovsky’s statue is unfounded and this incident should not be evaluated in the same context as the removal of Russian monuments in other countries. According to him, the artificial hysteria that has emerged in the neighboring country regarding the removal of Aivazovsky’s statue is completely incomprehensible. Russia treats monuments and statues in neighboring countries with special sensitivity. However, the issue of dismantling Aivazovsky’s statue should not be evaluated in the same context as similar previous incidents.
Zaur Mammadov noted that while statues in other neighboring countries were once erected legally, Aivazovsky’s statue was illegally installed in Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory, under the patronage of separatists supported by Armenia and the Russian military contingent. The monument in question was erected after November 10, 2020, when the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia signed a trilateral statement, recognizing Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. If Russia itself recognizes Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, how is it possible that a statue can be illegally erected there without Azerbaijan’s consent? Some Russian media outlets are accusing Azerbaijan of nationalism and chauvinism, but this matter is about respecting Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights and territorial integrity.
The political analyst emphasized that, against the backdrop of sensitive geopolitical developments in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan has prioritized regional cooperation and mutual respect through a foreign policy based on stability and equality, while opposing interference by non-regional powers. Azerbaijan strives to maintain stability and does not want any country to threaten the interests of others in the region. Despite certain developments showing forces in Russia not interested in advancing relations, Azerbaijan remains interested in strengthening ties with Russia, and the ‘Aivazovsky issue’ should not harm this relationship.
Amid the unfounded accusations surrounding the removal of Aivazovsky’s statue in the Karabakh region, it becomes necessary to assess the issue from a legal and international law perspective. A member of Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Nizami Safarov, offering a legal opinion on the matter, stated that the statue was unlawfully installed without Azerbaijan’s official consent, and therefore its removal was fully in line with the country’s sovereign rights. Accusations such as ‘an act of hostility’ or ‘destruction of cultural heritage’ have no connection with the measures taken in accordance with Azerbaijani legislation and sovereign rights.
The MP also recalled that, as a full-fledged member of UNESCO, Azerbaijan actively and effectively cooperates with this specialized UN agency to preserve all cultural heritage sites located within its territory, including in the Karabakh region.