EUSR Grono: I do not contest past Armenian presence, rich cultural footprint in Karabakh

The preservation of cultural heritage and support to it are an essential part of both peace processes, but also an essential value for the European Union, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and crisis in Georgia Magdalena Grono told Armenpress during a tour of Matenadaran in Yerevan.

“I am delighted to have had the opportunity today to visit Matenadaran and to see the beautiful ancient Armenian collections.  I saw really genuine beauty and depth of the heritage and I was very moved by it. So, I am very grateful to the hosts to have given me this opportunity and I believe that indeed the preservation of cultural heritage and support to it is an essential part of both peace processes, but also an essential value for the European Union,” she said.

EUSR Grono earlier visited Azerbaijan, and during a tour to Karabakh, she said on X that “deeply diverging views and narratives persist, for instance on origins of some sites” without specifying. This statement was criticized on Armenian social media.  

Asked to comment, Grono said: “I certainly do not contest past Armenian presence and rich footprint in former conflict-affected areas in Karabakh. I could see it firsthand for the first time during the visit to Kalbajar and Aghdara districts last week,” she said, referring to her visits to the monasteries of Dadivank and Gandzasar in those districts. 

“I was also happy to have been able to once again visit Matenadaran in Yerevan today. This heritage should be preserved and cherished, without undue politicization and manipulation,” the EUSR added.

For the EU, she continued, the main point is that all aspects of peace process be addressed including political, security, economic issues, but also issues as difficult as humanitarian issues and also as cultural heritage.

“And I believe that dialogue on these will also at some point be necessary for reconciliation to be comprehensive.  I did hear perspectives from both sides and I know that both sides feel very strongly about them and I was very happy to also have the opportunity during my visit over the weekend to witness the heritage that is important that is indeed in Karabakh,” Grono concluded.

The EUSR was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Armenia, Vahan Kostanyan.