YEREVAN. – Azerbaijan is worried that UNESCO experts may witness the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage; that is the reason that hinders the work of the independent technical mission. Ambassador Christian Ter-Stepanian, Permanent Delegate of Armenia to UNESCO, announced this during Tuesday’s plenary session of the UNESCO Executive Board.

Also, the envoy expressed hope that the Director General of UNESCO will continue to make efforts to send a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and nearby areas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informs NEWS.am.

In his address, the Permanent Delegate of Armenia to UNESCO spoke also about the current situation as a result of the aggression unleashed by the armed forces of Azerbaijan on September 13, towards the sovereign territory of Armenia. In particular, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the continuity of education during this difficult period.

As a result of the recent Azerbaijani military aggression, 24,873 schoolchildren in 172 schools and 5,808 preschoolers in 69 kindergartens in Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor Provinces of Armenia have been deprived of the right to education.

In addition, Ambassador Ter-Stepanian drew the attention of those in attendance to Azerbaijan’s most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, which testify to the extremely high level of Armenophobia rooted in the Azerbaijani society.