It is estimable to conduct the research on "the destiny of Tepebashi settlement, the last survival of Azerbaijani national-cultural and historical heritage in Irevan city: the destruction of the heritage of the Azerbaijani people in Armenia and the obliteration of historical traces" and to work up proposals in the direction of eliminating its consequences.

As a historian and cultural heritage expert, I should assure you that, the Caucasus has been Turkic land since time immemorial. Oghuz and Kipchak Turks were main investors and inspirator to the formation and shaping of Muslim and non-Muslim culture of Caucasus. Dynamism, mobility, existence and statehood of Turks made it possible for them to be in every part of the Caucasus. The territory of present Republic of Armenia is one of the ancient lands of Muslim and non-Muslim Turks in this sense. There are deep historical layers and evidences of this thesis. The studies on overhead and documentation truly cause a certain opinion among the researchers in order to understand the thesis.  However, it should not be forgotten that non-exploration of Oghuz and Kipchak Turkic identity and uniqueness of the Caucasus at the academic level until now did not allow the truth to be turned out.

It is a fact that, Turks were loyal and inclined to change their language and religion in the example of Gregorian Kipchaks and Christian Uyghurs like in every part of the world incuding Russia, China, India, Egypt and Europe, since they prefer exogamy and foreign marriage. Turkic material and immaterial cultural heritage had been spread to wide contours in the world in this sense. The ability of Turks to establish confederations in a short period of time allowed them to expand the traditions of statehood among Muslim and non-Muslim groups. Therefore Turkic identity of the Caucasus, its overhead and underground traces should be deeply studied in the name of World Heritage. The Republic of Azerbaijan by becoming leading state of the Caucasus, was a positive source of investment and inspiration for other states, whether they accept it or not. It is clear that, Turks were never afraid of calling the truth by its name, on the contrary, they fostered it. 

ICOMOS, ICOM, WMF, EAA and other world heritage nongovernmental organizations including UNESCO should support academic activities carried out and promote the documentation and preservation of the heritage in order Caucasus, particularly, its last two-thousand-year historical realities to be made clear for the sake of peace. These activities should be realized and documented in a more sensitive and precise manner from archaeological, anthropological, ethnographic, epigraphic, numismatic and paleographic aspect. The documents and sources about Irevan city are important. The books prepared on the basis of source studies and historiography at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and their translation into different languages formed the ground of this work. Furthermore, the completion of the done work will be possible with "in situ" acquisition, collection and analysis of material heritage evidences, the preparation of proposals and recommendations and publication of academic books. 

Irevan city, being one of the most important capital cities of Caucasus, was founded by Azerbaijani Turks. Irevan city is common heritage of both Azerbaijani and Turkey Turks and is also a world heritage with its material and immaterial cultural legacy. I would like just to remind you that, a corner of Topkapi Palace is called Revan Pavilion. According to the Gajar element, attempts of falsification and Persianization of cultural heritage of Irevan city by Armenians are inadmissible and constitute an international criminal initiative. It is known that, Gajars were one of the leading hamlets of the confederation of Turkic nomad families of Azerbaijan. Rashid ad-Din Fadlullah mentioned the name of Qajar Akhtachi and gave information about the formation of his hamlet and dominating in the Caucasus in his book ‘Jami al-Tawarikh’.

As it can be seen from this research, all Azerbaijani overhead and underground cultural heritage monuments in Irevan city are known to the experts and have the possibility to be localized. Irevan city and its cultural heritage should be approached within the framework of international conventions. Fact-finding mission of international organizations should monitor current state of this heritage.

I would like to inform you that,  MIRAS Social Organization in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage together with its numerous members who possess professional and academic capabilities can provide alternative opportunities for the monitoring, research, protection and promotion in Irevan city. World Monuments Fund identifies the world's most endangered cultural heritage monuments every two years. Actually Tepebashi residential area’s being under threat is not only issue of Azerbaijan, but also of the whole world. We suggest that preparations for 2024 nomination is made right now and ancient Tepebashi district submitted to that nomination together with Azerbaijani and international NGOs. We can also involve our international partners in this process.

Ph.D. Fariz Khalilli 

Chairperson for MIRAS Social Organization 

in Support of Studying of Cultural Heritage