Minister unaware of cooperation deal between Azeri, Armenian universities
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
9 Jul 04
[Presenter] There can be no cooperation with Armenia until the
occupied lands are liberated, but leaders of some higher educational
institutions have violated the stance on the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict to which official Baku adheres. Not only private, but also a
state university, that is Baku State University, are among them.
[Correspondent over video of road in Baku] Baku sees as impossible any
form of cooperation with Armenia until the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
is resolved. However, two of Azerbaijan’s high schools have decided
to cooperate with Armenia in the sphere of education. We are talking
about Xazar University and Baku State University which is the
country’s biggest and oldest. It turned out that six universities of
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia have recently signed a cooperation
accord in Istanbul. The document was signed not only by Xazar
University and Baku State University, but also by Yerevan State
University and Yerevan’s institute of foreign languages. The document
was signed also by Turkish and Georgian universities. Under the
document a new master’s programme on the history and culture of the
Caucasus will be prepared and taught. To recap, the rector of Xazar
University, Hamlet Isaxanli, has come up with the idea of preparing a
new master’s programme. So, the two Azerbaijani universities will
cooperate with Armenia in teaching the subjects such as the history of
the Caucasus and the Caucasus from a global perspective. The
leadership of Xazar University regards as normal the participation of
the Azerbaijani and Armenian universities in the same project and even
the signing of a cooperation accord.
[Mahammad Nuriyev, captioned as deputy rector of the Xazar University,
in his office] Understandably Azerbaijan will not cooperate with
Armenia in the economic field until the Karabakh conflict is
solved. This is out of the question. But we will be able teach the
younger generation the history, culture and prospects of the Caucasus
from a unique viewpoint.
[Correspondent] Unlike the deputy rector, Education Minister Misir
Mardanov did not even want to speak about cooperation with the
Armenians. The minister, who only heard about this from us, did not
conceal his anger.
[Mardanov, speaking to microphone] We can never sign an official
document on cooperation and relations with Armenia. This can never
happen.
[Correspondent] But, this has happened. It happened without the
minister’s knowledge. Mardanov said the issue will be investigated and
specific measures will be taken.
Vusala Karimova, Mirtofiq Miralioglu, “Son Xabar”.