Black Garden risks reviving old divisions as Azerbaijan and Armenia move towards peace

**Azerbaijani Embassy Counsellor Critiques Documentary on Nagorno‑Karabakh Conflict**

*London, 2024* – Günel Salimova, counsellor at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in London, issued a statement in response to a review of the documentary *The Black Garden* published in *The Guardian* by Phuong Le. Salimova argued that the film presents the former Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict through an overly nationalistic lens and could reinforce divisions at a time when Azerbaijan and Armenia are pursuing peace.

In her remarks, Salimova acknowledged the human cost of the conflict, citing that Azerbaijan suffered “thousands killed, some 4,000 missing, around 1 million internally displaced persons and refugees, as well as profound economic and social consequences.” She noted that the conflict began after Armenian forces occupied the internationally recognised territory of Nagorno‑Karabakh in the 1990s, a situation that the United Nations Security Council repeatedly called an illegal occupation. In 2020, Azerbaijan regained control of the territory, but mines laid during the occupation continue to pose a danger. Between 2020 and 2026, 436 people have been killed or injured by mine explosions.

Salimova said the timing of the documentary and the review was “curiously untimely,” arguing that “stirring negativity on the former conflict in these terms overlooks a significant opportunity for a lasting peace.” She highlighted that Azerbaijan and Armenia have made steady progress toward durable peace, noting that the two countries are engaging in trade, holding regular meetings of border‑delimitation commissions, and implementing confidence‑building measures.

The counsellor cited recent meetings between Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders that emphasized the tangible benefits of peace, including Azerbaijani exports to Armenia and the transit of goods through Azerbaijan. They also discussed potential connectivity projects that could transform the wider region. Salimova concluded that these developments deserve the spotlight rather than “stories fostering division.”

The statement was published under the headline “As Azerbaijan and Armenia work towards peace, this film paints a misleading picture” in *The Guardian*.

Article and image source: azernews.az