Asgar Ismaiylov’s Narration of Khojaly Incidents and Iran-Nakhchivan Ties

A land of 3500 years of origin, the city of Nakhchivan faced the medieval with a reputation for its scientific, cultural, commercial and industrial ballparks. The Nakhchivan region was over the history under the rule of governments with roots from the Mannaenes, Medias, Atropatene, Sassanid, Kara Koyunlu, Ak Koyunlu, Safavid dynasty and other administrations where Azerbaijani people have resided.

In the 12^th century, Nakhchivan was the capital city of the Atabegs of Azerbaijan, and later, between the 10^th and 13^th reached a peak in terms of its development. As the history of Nakhchivan comes from millennia, the etymological renderings of its name have been diversely provided in various historic evidence, including “Noah Chikhan”, which refers to where the ship of Noah anchored, “a Depiction of the World” (in Farsi “Naqsh-e-Jahan”), “Adornment of Existence” (in Farsi “Zinat-e-Alam”), “Nakhchuvana”, “The Land of Mineral Waters” (in Farsi “Sarzamin-e-Abha-e-Madani) and also a land pertaining to the tribe of Khanch.

In the 16^th and 17^th century, the city of Nakhchivan had become a battlefield for the Safavids and Ottomans. Afterwards, as of 1828 onwards, which equals the coercive migration of Armenians to the lands of Azerbaijan due to the duress posed by the Tsardom of Russia, the city underwent considerable damage and in the early-20^th century, it turned into a permanent target for Armenians’ attacks. Therefore Azerbaijanis have at times run into genocides and massacres.

Between 1918 and 1921, in spite of the heavy damages caused by assaults of Armenian armed forces, the people of Nakhchivan resorted to diplomacy and prevented the occupation of their lands thereby. However, as a result of a concession by the Soviet Union, Zangezur (today the Armenian province of Syunik) was given to Armenia and the main body of Azerbaijan lost a part.

The decision to make Nakhchivan a part of modern-day Azerbaijan was cemented on March 16, 1921 in the Treaty of Moscow between Soviet Russia and the newly founded Republic of Turkey and was later reaffirmed on October 13, in the Treaty of Kars signed by Azerbaijan, Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Turkey which resulted in the final demarcation of the borders of Nakhchivan. So, on February 9, 1924, the Soviet Union officially established the Nakhchivan ASSR. Yet the USSR continued its policies against the nation of Azerbaijan invading the Kars Treaty borders and gave away 13 villages and some borderlands of Nakhchivan to Armenia.

December 1989 saw the unrest of the people of Nakhchivan who for the first time dismantled the barbed wires located on borderlands of the USSR. In June, 1990, the Soviet Army, aided by Armenian armed forces, began to invade villages of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The return of the eminent politician, Heydar Aliyev to his hometown, Nakhchivan, and his election as the Supreme Soviet with an overwhelming majority on December 3, 1991 helped the land out of potential dangers and Nakhchivan managed to stand against the attacks of Armenia which had brought it under siege from three angles between 1990 and 1994.

Ergo the initial ties between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Iran came to existence on August 24, 1992 following a protocol for multilateral cooperation between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran when Mr. Heydar Aliyev visited Iran at the invitation of the Iranian senior officials. The borderland of Shahtakhti-Poldasht was established in 1992, plenty of mutual visits took place between 1991 and 1993 and thanks to bilateral strategies and plans the ties between the two republics have constantly grown over the past 21 years. In addition, collaborations between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Iran’s Eastern Azerbaijan, Western Azerbaijan and Ardebil have played a constructively imperative role, and to better pave the way for further extension in relations, various measures have been practiced to improve cooperation in the areas of energy, transportation, communication, agriculture, health, culture, tourism and sports which shall be even more enhanced with more mutual trips of delegates taking place.

The present day sees the increasing prosperity of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, its fully refined display and population of 431 thousand and 600.

Over the last decade, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has had a real 12.5% growth in its economy and some 11.7% increase in the budget allocated thereto. The investment volume in economy equals 3 billion and 704 million AZN and the increase in the shares of industrial sections has been 45.5%, of agriculture 4.5%, of construction 14.2%, of transportation 3.3%, of communication 9.7% and of foreign trade flow 12.2%. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic now enjoys different infrastructures such as universities, hospitals, sports clubs, transportation service providers, highways, railroads and an international airport. It has also made sizeable achievements in terms of nutritional products, manufacturing cars, making building equipment, generating electricity, producing agricultural products and so on. The two brands of mineral water products, Sirab and Badamli, are famous ventures of Nakhchivan which are globally exported.

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is viewed as an autonomous government within the body of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The most supreme position of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic belongs to is the current chairman of the Supreme Assembly, which is consisted of 45 members and the executive power operates in the form of the Committee of Ministers.

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic owns a variety of historical monuments and tourism attractions, too, including the Momina-Khatun’s mausoleum styled in Ajami Nakhchivani architecture, the tomb of Yusif ibn Kuseyir, the tombstones of Qarah Baghlar, the cave of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (referred to in the Quran), Batabat (the tarn), the castle of Ilinje which resisted for 14 years against the siege of Tamerlane’s army, the salt-encrusted caves, therapy centers and also the Tomb of the Gulistan. There are, furthermore, some other architectural makings inspired by Nakhchivan’s famous architect’s style, Ajami Nakhchivani in Iran such as a number of domes in Uremia, Maragheh, Salmas, Meshkin Shahr and elsewhere.

A city known for its high respect toward Islam and Islamic values, Nakhchivan was chosen by the OIC the capital of the Islamic World in 2018.

Thanks to the invaluable endeavors and supports of the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tabriz, we managed to visit this historical land and experienced the best of any possible stay in Nakhchivan with the kindness of its Head of State upon u. On our trip, we had the chance to have a tour at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and hold an interview with its head which we hope finds a small place in the eyes of our readers.

AVA Diplomatic’s Exclusive Interview with Mr. Asgar Ismaiylov,

the Head of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan

Interview by Mohammadreza Nazari

Given the fact that in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, there are no Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, you are viewed as the supreme diplomatic figure of the Republic. How is your organizational position defined in the Republic of Azerbaijan?

Well, first, allow me to salute you and welcome you to Nakhchivan. I am the Head of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan and my official rank is Extraordinary, Plentipotentiary Envoy, first rank.

The primary function and agenda of this department is to support and realize the united policies of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. I, however, intended to talk one thing through before getting to answer your question. Over the past few days, in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and with the participation of representatives from different social walks, the members of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the members of the Consulate General of Iran in Nakhchivan, we held a memorial in remembrance of the genocide of Khojaly. That incident is an ever-chafing wound at the heart of our nation which never ceases to bleed and as you are a delegate of an international medium, it would be such a good idea to briefly have an informative glance at it.

Would you please explain to our readers what had taken place in Khojaly?

The Khojaly incident is part of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflicts over the mountainous region of Karabakh. The army of Armenia, backed up by the Russian Armored Brigade 366^th deployed in the city of Khan Kandi, stepped into Khojaly at night on February 25 and 26, 1992 and massacred the citizens, also children and women, using heavy weaponry.

The present President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan stated in an interview with the British reporter, Tom Duvall, “At first, Azerbaijanis did not take us seriously in Khojaly. They wouldn’t imagine Armenians lifting a finger against an unarmed Azerbaijani. We managed to shatter what Azerbaijanis had in mind about Armenians.” By uttering those words, he almost destroyed the picture of the Armenian nation as an innocent nation whose rights were stepped on and proved to the world that they are brutal, savage and merciless.

Do you have any plan to pursue this case officially at The Hague?

There are already lawsuits in the pipelines against Sargsyan who in his words admits his crimes. To have a slaughter recognized as a genocide and to avoid any future incident of the sort, there are big tasks being run and practiced on the level of the government.

How did the people of Armenia react to the Khojaly incident?

The prominent representatives of Armenia’s social walks do clearly and openly confirm that the culprits to what took place in Khojaly are the current leaders and theorists of Armenia. The negligence of the criminal Serzh Sargsyan toward his own nation and the policies which have led to the deterioration of the lives of Armenian citizens have forced them to depart for foreign countries and turned Armenia to a backyard for foreign states. Although the Armenian society well knows of the truths about Khojaly, they have been afraid to hum a word about it due to the dictatorial atmosphere they have been stuck in.

Why did the European and American friends of the Republic of Azerbaijan stay away and watch the whole thing happening in Karabakh?

The OSCE Minsk Group has been in charge of working out this problem and over the past two decades and through holding talks between the two sides and chairing meetings, it has been trying to peacefully resolve the issue.

How have the disagreements between the US and Russia and also, between Russia and Ukraine affected the developments in the region? Is the Republic of Azerbaijan probable to be sacrificed in these arguments? Is another Khojaly incident foreseeable?

The disputes between Russia and Ukraine have nothing to do with the Republic of Azerbaijan. That relates to the engaged parties and that can never claim any sacrifice from Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan officially recognizes Ukraine’s integrity and seeks to peacefully hammer out the problem. In terms of another Khojaly incident, I must say that Azerbaijan is no longer what one would know of it in the 1990s. Today, we have strong regional army and stable economy. That is why the repetition of such incident seems out of the question.

Considering that the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is part of the soil of the Republic of Azerbaijan, why do they not have a land border?

On November 30, 1920, Zangezur was cut off of Azerbaijan and added to Armenian lands and as a result, Nakhchivan remained separated from the Republic of Azerbaijan. In the process of adding Zangezur to Armenia, the then leaders of the Soviet Union and pro-Armenia forces had direct interference.

In some periods of history, Nakhchivan was part of Iran’s soil, too. How much commonalities have remained with Iran since then?

That is only a historical point of view. In terms of commonalities, the two nations have much in common.

What are the main activities of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan?

This department was established first on October 31, 2005 at the behest of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Considering the existing policies for solidifying and extending economic, commercial, scientific, technical and cultural ties with governments and international institutions and also the participation of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic therein, the department functions as an executive wing for implementing the monolithic policies of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. It also operates regarding the activities of foreign representatives in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic just like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is trying to boost collaborations with some Iranian provinces such as Eastern Azerbaijan and Western Azerbaijan. What priorities have been enlisted in this area?

On September 6 and 7, 2011, at the invitation of the governor general of Western Azerbaijan, the chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic travelled to Iran and in addition to meeting with the governor general and a number of local authorities, he visited the productive firms of the region and evaluated the potentials for cooperation.

On that trip, the MOU of multilateral cooperation between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran was signed.

Moreover, on October 23, 2014, a delegate committee headed by the governor general of Iran’s Western Azerbaijan, Mr. Ghorban Ali Saadat, carried out a two-day trip to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and then, they met with the chairman of the Supreme Assembly and other authorities and visited some of the industrial and productive firms of the Republic.

In the meetings, the importance of the relations between Iran’s Western Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and also the extension of fruitful collaborations by both sides were emphasized.

In that regard, the visits of the chairman of the Supreme Assembly to Iran’s capital, Tehran and also Eastern Azerbaijan and Western Azerbaijan have been pretty much influential in creating new realms for cooperation and enhancing potentials for mutual collaboration. Recently, 4 MOUs have been signed between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Iran, 5 with Eastern Azerbaijan and 4 with Western Azerbaijan which all indicate the developments in relations.

Given the fact that the Republic of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan have land borders with Iran, the development of land transportation and railroads can hugely contribute to the ties between Iran and Nakhchivan. Is that a priority at all?

The land connection of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with most of the Republic of Azerbaijan has become possible through Iran. Iran played a significant role in helping the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic out of the siege. On June 24, 2011, the project of the Jolfa-Jolfa Bridge yielded fruit and began to work between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Eastern Azerbaijan.

The opening of the bridge made a sweeping change in transportation ties between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Iran. It did so much to the passing of transit trucks from Iran through the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and vice versa that the levels of cooperation have been so satisfactory and we are very pleased with this fact. Apart from that, there have been contracts between the Department of Transportaion of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Iranian transportation companies to help establish bus and transportation lines of Nakhchivan-Uremia and Nakhchivan-Tabriz-Uremia.

The recent meeting between the FMs of Iran, Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. What achievements did it have?

On March 7, 2012, the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan was trilaterally held in Nakhchivan and at the end, a statement was signed, which specifically stressed the economic, commercial, scientific, educational and historical cooperation as well as preservation of cultural heritages, providing eased travels for citizens in border areas and transit-related collaborations.

Regarding the expansion of bilateral relations, I would like to point out that Iranian citizens can have a one-time entrance to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from Iran and a 15-day residence there. Easing the visa issuance process is of utmost importance while speaking of enhancing ties between two sides.

How many Iranian tourists visit Nakhchivan every year?

The eased discipline of visa issuance has been in practice for over 6 months now and during this period, some 150-160 Iranian citizens travel to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic every day. It should also be noted that of the Iranians who take a trip to Nakhchivan, the number of those who have pilgrimage or medical purposes is considerable, too. This way, they visit the cave of the Seven Sleepers as referred to in the Quran and get treated at the medical center of Duzdag. Necessary social and living infrastructures have been taken care of to provide the needed welfare of the tourists who choose the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as their destination and there are also 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotels which are totally at service.

Nakhchivan is an ancient city with lots of monuments. Tourists can visit holy and historical places such as the Momina-Khatun’s mausoleum, the cave of the Seven Sleepers, the tomb of Noah and the Castle of Nakhchivan. In other words, every possibility for tourists to better spend their time in Nakhchivan has been thought of and developed. I think I have to point out the warmth and hospitality of the people of Nakhchivan toward Iranians.

You just referred to the cave of the Seven Sleepers in Nakhchivan. There are also anecdotes about the anchoring of Noah’s ship around the mountains close to Nakhchivan. Are they true?

According to mythological anecdotes, Noah’s ship has ducked around Qomi Gaya in Ordubad in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (which has a height of 327 meters). That is also what many archeologists and tourists believe as far as there are place names related to the name of Noah such as Nahrom, Nahejir, Nuhdaban and so on. Another important point is that the tomb of Noah is located in the historical-architectural site of the Castle of Nakhchivan in the south of Nakhchivan city. Visiting that place is interesting, too.

What fields can see increased economic and agricultural collaboration between Iran and Nakhchivan? What strategies should be implemented for the realization thereof?

In that case, I can refer to the trip of Nakhchivan’s Minister of Agriculture and his accompanying committee to Iran’s Eastern Azerbaijan in 2012 and 2014. Also, there have been many times of meeting between the General Manager of Khoy’s Sugar Company and the Minister of Agriculture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Presently, there is cooperation in the field of planting rapeseeds bought from Iran in Nakhchivan’s fields. Added to that, both sides have collaborations in seed plantation, agriculture and livestock. It should be mentioned that in June, 2014, the Minister of Economy and Industries of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has visited Iran and on his trip, he achieved some agreements to extend collaborations.

Why don’t we see some border markets between Iran and Nakhchivan?

In June, 2014, Nakhchivan’s Minister of Economy and Industries travelled to Iran’s Aras Free Zone and held talks in this regard.

What are your suggestions for the products offered in the country’s markets? I haven’t seen the trade of Iran-made products in Nakhchivan and vice versa. Why is that?

You should note that the ties of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with Iran are developing now and the agreements signed between them clearly indicate the progressive trend they are following. In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, more than 300 industrial and nutritional products are being produced and that’s almost natural for them to be exported. We hope to be able to eventually see the products of Iran and Nakhchivan in both countries’ stores.

Once I started walking in the city, I witnessed modern and gorgeous buildings. Have these buildings been financed by the domestic investments? Or there have been foreign investments?

New buildings and constructions as well as renovations have been bankrolled by domestic investments. If necessary, there can be subsidies for these projects, too.

Where do you supply building materials from?

Mostly domestic products are used for that purpose. Some of them actually do not exist here and are supplied from other areas of the Republic of Azerbaijan or neighboring countries. Coupled with that, I believe I should say that in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, there are factories which produce cement, concrete, brick, stone, plastic door and windows, heating systems, pipes, plaster and sofas.

Another point I want to get at is the operation of the Farsi section at the National University of Nakhchivan which can greatly contribute to the development of ties between the two states. Do Iranian students attend the National University of Nakhchivan, too?

Persian language and literature has for some years been taught at this college. The head of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has taken necessary measures for the development of science and education already. To complete our courses in teaching Farsi, we invited Iranian professors from Iran so that the students could learn their lessons from native speakers. At the moment, there are 19 students from Iran who study at the National University of Nakhchivan.

As a diplomat and of course, an individual who was born and lives in Nakhchivan, what horizons do you depict for the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic?

You can clearly see the effects of the policies of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the chairman of the Supreme Assembly in economic and social developments of the country. Even the citizens who departed to Nakhchivan for different reasons are now back to their hometowns and work in whichever field they desire making the most of what has been provided for them, and that is a positive point. Not just us, but also anyone who has travelled to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic can verify that statement. Such trends will continue in accordance with reforms and we hope that in a near future, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic turns into the most important commercial, scientific, touristic and cultural center of the Republic of Azerbaijan and perhaps the region. The geographical position of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic can make that possible, too.

The vice president of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Ahmadov has stated, “We are ready to fight for winning back Karabakh.” What do you think of this?

We are all in favor of peacefully working out Armenia-Azerbaijan disputes over Karabakh and hope for the revival of the integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan through peaceful ways in a near future. However, if settling the conflict were not peacefully possible, in that case, war would not be off the table. Today, the Republic of Azerbaijan has a strong army and is fully prepared to bring back its occupied lands.

Thank you so much for your time and hospitality.

It is I who should thank you. You will most possibly find enough time to get to know more of our city and will reflect the results of your meetings and visits back in Iran. At the end, I would like to once again state my gratitude for the interview you held.