Putin envoy denounces destruction of Nagorno-Karabakh monuments

Mikhail Shvydkoy, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Special Representative on International Cultural Cooperation, has denounced the dismantling of monuments in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijani authorities. 

“The dismantling of monuments of cultural figures or encroachment against them, wherever it might happen, cannot but cause a highly negative approach, whichever nation they belong to, be it Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Russians or others,” RBC quoted him as saying on the matter. 

He said there can’t be any argument in history or politics for dismantling monuments of cultural figures.

“Naturally, culture cannot stay outside of politics and international relations, but at the same time, culture must remain the link between peoples that must not be cut. Politics live in the present, while cultural relations are eternal, this must be realized.”

He said the topic is very difficult but a dialogue must take place.

The envoy said that Russia and the peoples of South Caucasus are linked with centuries-old history and the ties cannot be broken.