UN mission arrives in Azerbaijan's Garabagh region PHOTO

The United Nations mission has arrived in Azerbaijan's Garabagh region.

On October 1 morning the mission members travelled through Aghdam in the direction of Askeran-Khankendi, APA reports.

The purpose of the mission is to familiarise themselves with the situation on the ground and determine the humanitarian needs of the residents.

The mission includes representatives of various UN agencies. The last time a UN mission visited Garabagh was about 30 years ago.

Earlier, Azerbaijani Presidential aide Hikmet Hajiev said that Azerbaijan intends to organise the UN mission's visit to Garabagh soon.

According to him, Azerbaijan wants Armenian residents of Garabagh to remain in that territory.

"Azerbaijan has a comprehensive plan to provide them with safe and better living conditions. However, they can freely leave the territory if they wish. Azerbaijan has never had and currently has no plans to force Armenian residents of Garabagh to leave their homes," the official said.

"On the contrary, Azerbaijan has declared that it fully guarantees their safety if they choose to stay in Garabagh. We want that. Azerbaijan continues to call for ensuring their safety. However, we do not have the right to impede their freedom of movement. It is a sovereign and personal choice for each individual," he noted.

Speaking about the baseless statement by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Hajiyev called the 'ethnic cleansing' phrase abusive.

"Unfortunately, we see a large amount of disinformation. Azerbaijan has never conducted ethnic cleansing and will not conduct it. We have never used force against the civilian population," Hajiyev emphasized.

He also stated that the Azerbaijani government sent buses to Khankendi after Armenian residents who didn't have cars sought assistance.

"People are not forced to board buses. Azerbaijan will do everything possible to organise the safest and most convenient route in any direction," Hajiyev added.