Elnur Imanbeyli,

"In every truth lies a dream … "

Each of us is a product of the society around us. The people who surround us, the ideas presented to us, the education we receive from the very first day form us as we are. Apart from all this, each of us has a unique mind. From time to time our mind makes us question the product formed by society – that is our identity, our thoughts, our character. I, like everyone else, am a product of the society that surrounds me yet sometimes my conscience tells me otherwise.

I was a second-year pupil. Being a child, I did not understand everything I read. One of the most surprising things for me was the meeting of the presidents of and , their shaking hands, their welcoming each other; or the Russian president's visit to the Alley of Martyrs during his Baku visit, putting a wreath on graves. The scenes that I saw on the television put a question mark over the things that I studied at school. Because [at school, we were taught that] were enemies.

We have never been friends with them [I thought], so neither could we be friends with them, and most importantly we were not supposed to be their friends. Reconciliation was not possible or needed. And on January 20, 1990, the Russians killed our innocent civilians. So, how could the [Russian] president come to the Alley of Martyrs?

I remember sharing this confusion with my parents. They tried to answer my questions in a simple way – a way that a second-year pupil could understand. But no answer could be as memorable as when I saw the Alley of Martyrs for the first time a year later. Seeing an ethnic Russian citizen of Baku among the martyrs explained a lot to a 9-year old child. Among those who died on January 20, there were also Russians. Weapons were used, steps taken were against humanity, justice and truth; not all Russians could be held responsible for all this. Yet at that young age, I did not realize the difference between the USSR and Russia.

And now when I recall this event, first of all, I experience nostalgia. Because this memory is my first memory associated with the university subject I now study – international relations. At the same time, this memory leads me to a question that needs to be answered today. What made me hate the Russians and hold a whole nation responsible? Of course, the books that I read were not at fault. I understood the issue wrongly, I misinterpreted it, and I had an incorrect attitude. This memory was my first experience related to what I now study. Hatred and virulence, incorrect images born of lack of information may render me useless to humanity – though each of us does have a role to play.

Hussein Javid, the great Azerbaijani poet, writes in one of his poems:

“There flutters a light in each darkness,

In each truth lies a dream.” For me, as a person close to poetry, these lines are a sort of continuation of the idea that I had that day. Darkness is ignorance and light is progress. Ignorance can only end up with progress.

Today when I think about the region I live in and my future in this region, I think about the truth that I discovered and, in addition, the dream that I have. My dream is to see my region in peace and prosperity and economic progress at all times. But this is a dream, a dream born in reality. And how real is the dream, is it close to reality?

Today, the situation in the Caucasus is far from optimal. Azerbaijan and Armenia are in a state of war. Georgia has conflicts with Russia. There are three hot conflicts in this small region. Despite a cease-fire on the front lines, dozens of people die every day. All parties, more or less, are rightly or wrongly condemned to losses.

Georgia is politically and militarily facing an enormous country, Russia. The country's security cannot be guaranteed. Armenia is in the midst of an economic blockade. It can neither benefit from the major economic market next door, Turkey, nor from the increasing economic power of Azerbaijan.

Although Azerbaijan quickly eliminated the traces of war, the country still has 1 million refugees and internally displaced persons. It does not have even a short land connection with Turkey, a strategic partner, nor with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. Of course, anyone supporting regional and global peace will be supporting a rapid resolution of these problems, and who is to be blamed then?

This is our region's fundamental truth, and the dream I spoke about earlier – the dream of regional peace – is still too far from this truth.

Another truth is the truth is created by me, you and all of us. And this truth lies in each nation’s education, good will and social conscience.

As a young man receiving education in the field of international relations, I believe in the need to work towards this common goal. I also understand my future responsibility as a global citizen.

I like literature, art, culture. I believe culture plays a major role in shaping public opinion. Therefore, I believe in the importance of cultural dialogue within the framework of international relations, in the strengthening of cultural relations, religious tolerance and diplomacy.

In the future, I see myself involved with human and cultural development on the regional and global level. This is the truth born by my dream, and I want to talk about this reality.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are in a state of war today. At various times in the last century, the ethnic conflict was ethnic, political, or military. And the state of a war started in 1988 is the painful result of these events. There are many opinions about the reasons for this war. The influence of external factors, the political gap during the collapse of the Soviet Union, the artificial exacerbation of ethnic conflict and many other reasons that created present conditions work to the detriment of both countries today. When looking at the issue in terms of human relationships, one can easily and clearly observe some trends in both societies that pave the way for a continuation of this problem.

Azerbaijan’s position is unequivocal. Azerbaijan wants the restoration of its territorial integrity and respects the territorial integrity of all other states. Respecting the principle of self-determination, Azerbaijan opposes giving this right twice to the Armenian nation. The Republic of Armenia is the product of the Armenian people’s self-determination. The Azerbaijan Republic treats Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian community as its citizens and wants to live in peace with them. This is a sound position that I support as a citizen. But who is at fault on our side?

I believe that the problem in our society is hidden in parts of the population which are still not fully educated.

Not everyone has recognized this position. Matters within society are still treated as individual thoughts, or by groundless comments and other populist media positions rather than through the prism of right, legality, and the rule of law. This is natural.

Not everyone in society can be expected to learn the principles and norms of international law, to understand the interests of the state, etc. However media, socially active citizens, NGOs and other institutions should be more active in this matter; they should promote public education so that more people could have correct information and develop their opinions, rather than developing hatred and rancor.

There are many works of Azeri literature which call for peace. In "White Aries, Black Coach", the popular writer Anar speaks of his utopian dream of the existence of an Armenian theatre in Khankendi, of the reconciliation of nations, and of compromise on both sides. In his play entitled "Kamancha" [a traditional string instrument], J. Mammadguluzadeh writes about forgiving and not killing an Armenian musician just because of how the instrument was used during the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflicts of the past century. In this work, the musical instrument trumps historical animosity and historical dependence. Art puts an end to hatred. Respect for art creates compassion towards a fellow human being. This prominent writer called on people for peace as if he could foresee what would happen in the ensuing decades.

There have been many peace-loving people in our history. For example, the wife of the playwright Mammadguluzadeh, the social activist and philanthropist Hamida khanum Javanshir gave food aid not only to Azerbaijani, but also to Armenian families during the massacres; she also cared for ordinary Armenians. She did not sacrifice her human belief to political and historical events.

A lack of public will for peace is one of the biggest problems on the Armenian side. The Armenian people’s addiction to history and historical events is even stronger; [in my view], this addiction is permanently promoted by the government and the Armenian diaspora. The Armenian press and public figures raise territorial claims against Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan and sacrifice chances for peace today in an effort to restore the economic development potential of the past which is believed to be the truth. However, throughout history, there have been Armenians who believed in peace and reconciliation. Sayat Nova, a famous Armenian-born poet who wrote in each of the three Caucasian languages, contributed to the enrichment of all three literatures and remained in the memory of each of the three nations.

At the same time, the Azerbaijani side is interested in establishing comprehensive relations, creating economic cooperation under the conditions of ensuring its territorial integrity at the state level.

I consider that there are plenty of people in Azerbaijan, the society that I live in, who believe in establishment of this peace. The Armenian church in Baku still remains a beautiful historical monument for many Azerbaijanis. None of us take it as the monument of an enemy. Many of us are not imprisoned by deep hatred. There is still room for hope.

I, just like Hamida Javanshir, J. Mammadguluzadeh, and Sayat Nova wish this truth that is underpinned by concessions agreed to and declared by the Azerbaijani state for the sake of peace, and the dream born by this truth to become reality.

Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia is the most obvious example of this dream that might come true. Both nations understand that cooperation is the best choice. Of course, there are problems between the two countries too, but none of them is more important than the solution, and the solution passes through communication and understanding. We feel this in our lives. I count Georgians as among my closest friends.

I am a customer of a bank in Baku, the woman bank teller happens to be a Georgian. She speaks fluent Azeri and lives in Baku. Peace benefits each of us.

Ideas, works calling for peace, peace-loving people are definitely a truth, but unfortunately many people are unaware of this truth. My dream and the dream of many people like me who want peace lies in this truth. Hatred, people who choose to be in the grip of history, supporters of the continuation of hatred, is also a truth. It’s absolutely crucial to have truth, for truth builds a realistic picture of world.

However, the future is in our hands. Why shouldn’t the close relations existing between Azerbaijan and Georgia also be established with Armenia? Why shouldn’t there be concessions? I believe, turning this wish into reality, will require strong will and desire. That is why I seek and see the future of myself and my country just in peaceful truth.