The head of the “Make a Change” civil society organization in Sweden, Christian Nordenström, representative of the tourism sector of Sweden and the owner of the “Butikstrender” Magazine Niklas Werner, the head of the “Young People Against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia” organization, Siavosh Derakhti, as well as the head of the World Azerbaijanis National Union, and former Chairman of the Congress of World Azerbaijanis Javad Derakhti visited the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) office within the framework of their visit to Azerbaijan. Their trip to Azerbaijan was organized by the Centre of Young Politicians for the dissemination of truth about Azerbaijan.
The IEPF President Umud Mirzayev informed them about Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the roots of the conflict, realities and prospects for the possible settlement of the regional dispute. At the meeting he also touched upon destroyed infrastructure, tragedies and war crimes committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan, as well as the daily life and living conditions of more than a million of IDPs and refugees that forcibly left their homes. Umud Mirzayev said that despite all difficulties and continuation of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by the Republic of Armenia, Azerbaijan develops its economy and improves its military capacity. The guests got acquainted with the work and projects implemented by the IEPF in this regard.
The IEPF President also touched on the issue about a member of the European Parliament from Sweden Lars Adaktusson who was included to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's list of undesirable persons for illegally visiting the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Umud Mirzayev stated that Lars Adaktusson’s visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan without permission means that Adaktusson supports Armenia, which committed Khojaly genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes against Azerbaijanis and this is also disrespectful act against more than a million of IDPs and refugees.
His illegal visit is not only the violation of international laws and norms, this kind of act also disrupt OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts on the peace process. In addition, his visit negatively affects Sweden-Azerbaijan friendly relations. Taking into account that EU stands against separatism in Eastern Partnership countries and supports their territorial integrity, Lars Adaktusson’s meeting with the illegal and criminal regime on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is not acceptable.
Apart from this illegal act, Lars also attempts to hold the event regarding the Karabakh conflict in the European Parliament on February 27. Organizing of such kind of event on the eve of the 26th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide - one of the war crimes of Armenian government against humanity, Lars Adaktusson directly supports occupants to continue their bloody policy against civilians in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and beyond, as they did by killing two years old Azerbaijani girl Zahra Guliyeva in the frontline region of Azerbaijan last year.
Of course, Azerbaijani society condemns Lars Adaktusson’s illegal act and call him to be fair and avoid disrupting negotiation process. In this regard, Umud Mirzayev mentioned that it is important to provide accurate information about Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to the Swedish people.
Mirzayev also added that on behalf of the IEPF the protest letter on Lars Adaktusson’s illegal visit and his destructive event that will be held on February 27 in the EP, was addressed to the President of the European Parliament and other respective parliamentarians.
The guests said that unfortunately there is not enough information about Azerbaijan in Sweden, but they praised their visit to Azerbaijan because during this trip they saw the realities about the country.
During the meeting they also watched a short movie made by the IEPF about the children living in the frontline-regions of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani-origin Siavosh Derakhti pointed out the importance of spreading true information about Azerbaijan.
The guests said that it is important to organize trips of Swedish businessmen and journalists to Azerbaijan to see the reality.