Baku: Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmat Hajiyev, recently highlighted concerns regarding foreign interventions in historical monuments under the pretext of restoration. During a visit to the Ganjasar and Khudavang churches with representatives of the diplomatic corps, Hajiyev shared insights through his X account, as reported by APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Hajiyev’s post emphasized the significance of the Ganjasar and Khudavang churches, which are vital components of the ancient Albanian Christian heritage. The Ganjasar church, established in the 13th century by Hasan-Jalal Dawla, the Caucasian Albanian ruler, serves as an important testament to the enduring Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania. Hajiyev expressed concerns that these monuments, during years of occupation, faced external interventions labeled as makeshift ‘restoration,’ which compromised their architectural authenticity and original character.
Hajiyev reiterated that every historical, cultural, and religious monument on Azerbaijani territory, regardless of its origin or religious affiliation, is an integral part of the country’s rich cultural heritage. The Azerbaijani state is committed to the protection, preservation, and restoration of these sites. He mentioned that Azerbaijan’s experience in safeguarding its multicultural and multireligious heritage has garnered international recognition, and the country is prepared to share this expertise with other nations, including its neighbors.
In his message, Hajiyev also addressed media outlets that have propagated fake news and misleading narratives about this issue, inviting them to visit the sites and witness the reality firsthand. “Seeing is believing,” he wrote, urging a direct engagement with the historical monuments to understand their current state and the efforts being made for their preservation.