Taleb wrote on social media that he had declined an invitation to deliver a lecture in Azerbaijan, despite what he described as a significantly increased offer. He also stated that he would not visit the country while Ruben Vardanyan remains imprisoned there.
Commenting on Taleb’s statement in an exclusive interview with News.Az, Professor Efendiyev said Azerbaijan would not be affected in the slightest by his refusal to visit the country.
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“My answer is very clear: Azerbaijan will not suffer at all—not in the slightest—if your foot never sets on its soil,” Efendiev said.
The professor, who has lived and worked in Germany for more than 35 years and has served as a distinguished professor at several universities worldwide, stressed that Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.
“For almost 30 years, part of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory was under occupation and controlled by separatists. Ruben Vardanyan was among the individuals associated with the former separatist entity operating on Azerbaijani territory,” he stated.
Efendiev emphasized that the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity apply equally to Azerbaijan and every other internationally recognized state.
“The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, just like those of any other country in the world, are inviolable. This is my personal position, and it is also shared by many of my friends around the world, irrespective of their nationality,” he said.
Professor Efendiyev also rejected any attempt to portray Azerbaijan as an intolerant country, describing it as an internationally recognized example of multiculturalism, hospitality and peaceful coexistence.
“Azerbaijan, my country, is a genuine example of tolerance. At an international conference held in Baku, which brought together representatives of 33 nations, the participants expressed their admiration for Azerbaijan’s hospitality, tolerance and deeply rooted multicultural traditions,” he noted.
According to Efendiyev, Azerbaijan’s multicultural character is reflected not merely in official statements but in the everyday life of a society where representatives of different ethnic groups and religions have lived together for centuries.
He concluded by reiterating that no individual’s decision to reject an invitation could diminish Azerbaijan’s international standing or affect the country’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.
“Therefore, my response to those making such statements is direct and unambiguous: Azerbaijan will not suffer in the slightest if that person never enters our country. Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, dignity and national interests are not negotiable,” Professor Efendiyev concluded.
