Signature collection campaign starts against decision of New South Wales state

Australia-Azerbaijan Turkish Friendship Group has started signature collection campaign against the recognition of the separatist regime in Azerbaijan’s occupied Nagorno Karabakh region by the parliament of the New South Wales state of Australia.

Editor-in-chief of the Zaman-Australia newspaper Enes Cansever said that the collected signatures will be sent to the parliamentary factions of the ruling and opposition parties.
Head of the friendship group Imadeddin Gasimov said Azerbaijanis and Turks appealed to all organizations and societies in Australia for support and said they will try to prevent the possible adoption of similar resolution at the parliament of Australia.

“Turkish and Azerbaijani communities in the New South Wales will continue protesting against the resolution on “The 20th anniversary of independence of Nagorno Karabakh Republic” prepared by MP Marie Ficarra,” he said. (The resolution passed by the upper house of the parliament of the New South Wales also calls on the country’s parliament to recognize the separatist regime).

Gasimov noted that the UN recognizes Nagorno Karabakh as the territory of Azerbaijan and adopted four resolutions on the withdrawal of the occupying forces.
“As Azerbaijan is geographically far from Australia, the parliamentarians here are unaware of the situation in the region. While passing decision on Karabakh the past and present of the problem must be studied,” he said.

Gasimov added that the Armenian lobby wanted to damage Australia’s friendship with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry sent a note of protest to Australia regarding the decision of the parliament of the New South Wales state. In its note of reply the government of Australia says it recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.


/APA/