A regular “Economy of Intellectual Property” workshop was held in Geneva on January 13.  Representatives from about 40 governmental organizations and NGOs were invited. Armenia was represented by political expert Sasun Hovhannisyan.

In his speech, Hovhannisyan presented the reforms implemented in Armenia in the sphere of intellectual property, stressing the need for introduction of international experience. Much of his speech was devoted to destruction of the Armenian khachkars (cross-stones) in Old Julfa by Azerbaijan.  

“In December 2005, as a result of government-backed crime organized by Azerbaijanis, over 5000 khachkars were completely destroyed at the cemetery of Old Julfa in Nakhchivan. Khachkars are original monuments of the Armenian culture, intellectual property of the Armenian nation,” the expert said. He stressed that world community has not responded to this fact so far. “It is regrettable that cultural heritage fell victim to petrodollars,” he emphasized.

Hovhannisyan called on World Intellectual Property Organization and all the delegates to give a legal assessment of cultural terrorism in Azerbaijan.