Presidential administration: Azerbaijan most of all affected by ethnic and religious separatism

After independence Azerbaijan felt the results of ethnic and religious separatism more than other countries and the continuing ethnic separatism, unleashed by Armenia against Azerbaijan is a good example of this, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department Chief Ali Hasanov said.

He was addressing the academic conference "Preventing the spread of extremist ideology in the Caucasus," dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan's independence on Thursday.

"Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis were forced to leave their homes as a result of Armenian aggression," he said. "Our people were tortured. The Armenian aggression was the key reason keeping the Armenian people behind the global development."

Hasanov said South Caucasus has always been known for ethnic diversity and religious tolerance worldwide.

"Religion, culture, ethnicity of each nation living in Azerbaijan are Azerbaijan's wealth," he said. "Coexistence of these religions, and their development are an important directions of state policy."

The conference has been organized by the Caucasus Muslims Office and the Moscow State Linguistic University. Azerbaijani and Russian religious figures, theologians, and public representatives of civil society are in attendance.


/Trend/