Azerbaijani left conference hall
Vice-Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov participated on October 15-18 in the conference of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. The main debate was held between Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations, the head of the Armenian delegation Mr Sharmazanov said during today's parliamentary briefings.
The conference focused on issues related to racism and xenophobia.
"Everyone criticized in their speeches these phenomena. When it was our turn to speak, Azerbaijani delegates left the hall, giving the floor to Armeniansto make speeches. We did not see any problems here. In my address I referred to the monstrous deal between Hungary and Azerbaijan which resulted in the extradition and pardoning of Azerbaijani murdered Ramil Safarov. I stressed that Safarov's act was a vivid example of racism. In this context, it is due to recall Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's words that Armenians are number one enemy of Azerbaijan," said Sharmazanov.
In reply to arguments brought by the Armenian side, Azerbaijani delegates tried to cite the tragic events in Khojaly in 1992, which they claimed, were perpetrated by Armenians.
"Exercising my rights at the conference, I spoke again, saying Azerbaijanis' statements are a blatant lie that eventually unmasked Azerbaijan. I said the massacre had been prepared by Azerbaijan's National Front party and can in no way be linked to Armenians. Blaming the Khojaly Massacre on Armenia Azerbaijan again proved that its propaganda is based on misinformation and lies," said the head of the Armenian delegation.
Speaking about manifestations of racism in Armenia, Mr Sharmazanov said being of Greek origin he was elected Vice-Speaker of Artmenian Parliament which ‘already says everything.'
