EU Special Representative: Protecting Cultural Heritage Is an Essential Part of the Peace Process

YEREVAN — The preservation and protection of cultural heritage are not only important components of peace processes but also fundamental values for the European Union, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Magdalena Grono said in an interview with Armenpress.

Grono made the remarks during a September 14 visit to the Matenadaran—Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts—accompanied by Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Vahan Kostanyan.

“I am pleased that I had the opportunity to visit the Matenadaran today and see its remarkable collections of ancient Armenian manuscripts. I witnessed the true beauty and depth of this heritage and was deeply impressed,” Grono said.

“I am very grateful to my hosts for providing this opportunity, and I firmly believe that preserving and supporting cultural heritage is not only an important part of peace processes but also an essential value for the European Union,” she added.

Grono had previously visited Azerbaijan and traveled to Nagorno-Karabakh. Following that visit, she wrote on social media that there were “deeply divergent views and narratives regarding the origins of certain sites,” without specifying which sites she was referring to. Her remarks prompted criticism in Armenia.

Asked by Armenpress to clarify her earlier statement, Grono said:

“I certainly do not dispute the past Armenian presence and rich legacy in the formerly conflict-affected areas of Karabakh. During my visit last week to the Kalbajar district, where I visited Dadivank, and the Aghdara district, where I visited Gandzasar, I had the opportunity for the first time to see this firsthand.”

“I was also pleased to visit the Matenadaran in Yerevan again today. This heritage must be preserved and valued, while avoiding unfounded politicization and manipulation,” Grono said.