Illegal tourism trend in occupied lands disturbs Baku

/By AzerNews - Mushvig Mehdiyev/

Baku is deeply concerned over the illegal touristic activities which have been carried out by Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories since it directly infringes on international law.

Since the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions are recognized as part of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, any kind of tourist activities in those regions should only take place provisioning the express authorization of Baku.

Since it has not been the case, all such activities constitute a violation of Azerbaijan's territorial sovereignty.

In a meeting with the World Tourism Organization top official in Madrid, Culture and Tourism Minister, Abulfas Garayev focused on this issue, calling for the international community to officially condemn such unlawful tourism activities.

"Touristic projects carried out illegally in the occupied Azerbaijani territories will be put forward for serious discussions in the upcoming WTO meetings, as well," he said.

Baku has made abundantly clear that it cannot and will not tolerate its lands to be exploited by Yerevan and turned into a tourist attraction for the pro-Armenian lobby.

This new development stands testimony of Armenia's unlawful and belligerent stance against not just Azerbaijan but the principles of law.

And since it was internationally recognized that Armenia is indeed forcibly occupying Azerbaijan's territories, only Baku can ever be entitled to take decision towards the administration and developments of its lands - in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and anywhere else within its territorial borders.

Earlier this month, Azerbaijan authorities issued an arrest warrant against Slovak politician, František Mikloško, after he illegally organized tourist excursions in the occupied territories for foreign tourists. Since the politician chose to ignore Baku's law, Baku saw fitting to exercise its legitimate rights. Mikloško is now a wanted man in Azerbaijan.

Baku bans any individual from visiting the occupied Azerbaijani lands without an official permit. Those who act in defiance to Baku's wishes, automatically find their name added to the foreign ministry's persona non grata list.

Foreign officials and diplomats who make unauthorized visits to Azerbaijani territories under Armenia's occupation are essentially breaking international law and Azerbaijan' sovereignty.

Azerbaijan's internationally recognized Nagorno-Karabakh territory was turned into a battlefield and zone of aggravated tensions after Armenia sent its troops to occupy Azerbaijan's lands. As a result, 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory found itself under military occupation. For the past two decades, and despite calls from the international community, Armenia has refused to withdraw its troops and retreat within its national borders.