BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 12. Hikmet Hajiyev,
Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and head of the Foreign
Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration,
visited the Gandzasar and Khudavang churches together with
representatives of the diplomatic corps.


Hajiyev made the remarks in a post on his X account.


He said the Gandzasar and Khudavang churches are an integral
part of the ancient Albanian Christian heritage.


“Gandzasar Church was built in the 13th century by Hasan Jalal
Dawla, ruler of Caucasian Albania, and is one of the important
pieces of evidence of the centuries-old Christian heritage of
Caucasian Albania,” Hajiyev said.


The presidential aide emphasized that during the years of
occupation, the monuments were subjected to external interventions
carried out under the guise of temporary “restoration,” which
damaged their architectural authenticity and original
character.


“Every historical, cultural and religious monument in
Azerbaijan, regardless of its origin or religious affiliation, is
an integral part of our country’s rich cultural heritage. The
Azerbaijani state remains committed to their preservation,
protection and restoration,” he said.


Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan’s experience in preserving its
multicultural and multi-religious heritage has gained international
recognition.


“We are ready to share this experience with other countries,
including our neighbors,” the presidential aide emphasized.







He also called on media outlets spreading false reports and
misleading narratives on the issue to visit the monuments and see
the reality on the ground for themselves.


“Seeing is believing,” Hajiyev said.


Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan
are visiting Karabakh and East Zangazur under the guidance of
Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and head
of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential
Administration.


A delegation of 150 people representing 58 countries and nine
international organizations is taking part in the visit.


On Sept. 11, representatives of the diplomatic corps visited
Khankendi and Shusha. In Khankendi, the diplomats first toured the
Khankendi Railway and Bus Station Complex, where construction work
is underway. They then visited the Cultural Center in Khankendi.
The delegation also visited the Victory Park and took a
commemorative photo in front of the Victory Arch. As part of the
visit, the diplomats also toured Karabakh University.


In Shusha, the delegation familiarized itself with restoration
and reconstruction work underway in the city and visited the First
Residential Complex, the construction site of the New Shusha
Mosque, the Molla Panah Vagif Mausoleum-Museum Complex, Jidir Duzu,
Karabakh Street, the Sadigjan House, the Lower Govhar Agha Mosque,
Shusha Central Square, the Shusha Creative Center and the Uzeyir
Hajibeyli House Museum.


The diplomats also took a commemorative photo in front of the
Shusha Fortress walls and attended an official reception marking
the Independence Day of the Republic of Mexico.