Under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, the conference organized by the “Cilicia Analytic Platform”, completed its task scheduled for the first day. Different aspects of the theme “Reinstating the Indigenous Rights of Artsakh People: Confronting Azerbaijan’s Genocidal Policy” were presented by experts in six working sessions.
Following the opening procedures of the day, Prof. Ashod Melkonian took the floor. He briefly addressed Azerbaijan’s more than a century-long practice to distort the historical and cultural legacy of its neighboring countries. The next speaker, Prof. Kevork Stepanian presented the “Great Azerbaijan” project and the steps to build a panturkic vision. However, to achieve the goal and in view of geopolitical interests, it was necessary to monitor the role of regional actors. The next speaker, Dr Kayané Hovhannisian presented Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian separatist and ethnic cleansing policies to change the ethnic composition of the region. Prof. Ruben Safrasdian moderated the session.
During the third session, Prof. Ruben Safrasdian analysed the 44 days war and the post-war geopolitics, which he called a new version of Ottomanism, and Pantouranism: the forced eviction of Armenians from Artsakh and its incorporation into Azerbaijan. The next speaker, Dr. Garen Khanlarian, spoke of Syunik and its strategic role in blocking Pan-Turkish globalization; he referred to the joint turk-azerbaijan genocide treaty the Zankezour Corridor, and the position of Iran. Aharon Shekherdemian introduced the concept of “Neo Ottomanism” as the new force of the policy in the region. Prof. Ashod Melkonian moderated the session.
The fourth session was moderated by Aharon Shekherdemian. Prof. Armen Maroukian analyzed the impact of Azeri media reporting and its public perception, during the invasion of Artsakh. He identified the new challenges in media communication and recommended that Armenia and the Diaspora to forget the old method of communication and adopt new strategies. Dr. Nora Bayrakdararian took the floor next. She said that according to International Law, both state and non-state parties are eligible to present their case to the International Criminal Court. Dr Bayrakdarian mentioned the initiative of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in 2015, to demand the return of the properties of the Catholicosate of Sis, which is already a precedent.
During the last session of the day, Dr. Isgouhi Avanesian described Azerbaijan’s genocidal acts against the peaceful population in Artsakh, the breach of human rights, and its war crimes. Prof. Vahram Palayan spoke of the 23 September blockade by Azerbaijan: its oil and strategic position and impunity. Finally, Yeghia Tashjian, presented the situation in the Southern Caucasus since 2020, within the framework of political and economic globalization, and its future challenges. The session was moderated by Dikran Yegavian.
