Marmara Group Foundation President Dr. Akkan Suver addressed the “Western Azerbaijan” meeting together with Secretary General Sezgin Bilgiç.

Restoring the Rights Taken from Western Azerbaijanis

Dr. Suver said that relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan went far beyond cultural affinity or nostalgic ties and that the issue of Western Azerbaijan was regarded in Türkiye as a historical matter.

Referring to the disappearance of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, historical monuments, mosques and cemeteries and to the renaming of settlements and geographical features, he argued that the subject should remain on the international agenda and be addressed through lawful and peaceful means.

He called for initiatives before UNESCO to protect the remaining cultural heritage and for efforts at the United Nations, the Council of Europe, academic forums and human-rights organisations. He also stressed the importance of documented research, international panels, cultural and artistic events, social media and activities led by young Azerbaijanis studying abroad.

Dr. Suver said that the ultimate objective should be to enable people displaced from their ancestral lands to return safely, honourably and peacefully. He described the pursuit of rights and justice through international law as a civilised and humanitarian responsibility and called for the issue to be explained to wider audiences and institutions.