RA MFA: UNESCO Mission will contribute to efforts to preserve  cultural heritage in the territories which fell under the Azerbaijani  control 

ArmInfo.The content of the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, accusing UNESCO of being biased, points to the destructive approach of Baku to  the issue of sending an expert mission of UNESCO to the  Nagorno-Karabakh.

This is stated in the answer of press secretary of  the Armenian Foreign Ministry Anna Naghdalyan to the question of what  will be the reaction of the RA Foreign Ministry to this statement.

To note, on December 21, the UNESCO Secretariat publicly announced  that only Azerbaijan has not responded on sending an expert mission  of UNESCO to the Nagorno-Karabakh and the adjacent areas, in fact,  clearly highlighting Azerbaijan's destructive approach. This was  followed by the statement of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan  accusing UNESCO of being biased.

Thus, the Armenian Foreign Ministry notes, in part: "The content of  the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's statement on the issue was nothing  more than a clear demonstration of "whataboutism"" propaganda  attempt. It indeed is concerning and emphasizes the need to reflect  on the roots of the problem and reaffirm the truths. All previous  attempts of involving the UNESCO in preservation of cultural heritage  within the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been  thwarted by Azerbaijan. Let me remind that upon the request of the  Armenian side regarding the barbaric destruction of the cross-stones  (khachkars) in Old Jugha, UNESCO expressed readiness to visit the  region, but it was rejected by Azerbaijan. 

Armenia and Artsakh have always emphasized the importance of  preservation of cultural heritage and have always demonstrated a  respective and careful approach towards the cultural values of other  peoples and religions. The restoration of the Gohar Agha Upper Mosque  in Shushi, Artsakh, in 2019 is the latest case in point.  Unfortunately, we have not witnessed a reciprocal approach from  Azerbaijan, which for decades fought against the Armenian cultural  presence in Artsakh and Azerbaijan, including through the mass  destruction of monuments.

The issue of preservation of cultural heritage has played a key role  in the current context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict - a fact that  has been reflected in recent statements by both the OSCE Minsk Group  Co-Chairs and the Co-Chair countries as well as the international  community in general. Armenia welcomes and is ready to support the  implementation of the UNESCO fact- finding mission in Artsakh and the  adjacent areas as soon as possible, which will contribute to the  efforts to preserve cultural heritage in the territories which fell  under the Azerbaijani control and to prevent possible negative  developments."