The UN delegation, led by senior officials of the organisation and the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva, visited the Karabakh region for the first time in 30 years on Sunday, 1 October. Departing from Agdam, the delegation visited the city of Khankendi. The delegation met with local residents and examined first-hand the situation with health and education facilities. It was announced that there was no damage to cultural and religious buildings in the region, including hospitals, schools and residential buildings. As a result of its investigations, the delegation announced that around 1000 Armenians remained in the Karabakh region.

SUPPORT OF THE AZERBAIJAN GOVERNMENT

The delegation reached the border crossing via the Lachin Road used by Armenians and made observations. It was stated that no civilian vehicle travelling to Armenia was found at the border crossing. As a result of their interviews, the delegation stated that "it is difficult to determine at this stage whether the local population intends to return or not". The delegation also called for every effort to ensure the protection of the rights of the local population and expressed the readiness of the UN team in Azerbaijan and the Government of Azerbaijan to support the remaining local population and those who wish to return.