As Armenia deals with the influx of refugees resulting from a military bombing campaign against a separatist region by its rival Azerbaijan, the first ambassador of Canada to the country arrived in Yerevan and presented his credentials.

"It is a great honor to take this position as the first resident ambassador of Canada, first in what will be a long journey as we continue to build on our very strong partnership," said Andrew Turner to Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in an official video released by the Armenians on Wednesday afternoon.

This provided more than 100,000 refugees of Armenian descent to Armenia in September after Azerbaijan launched what it called an anti-terrorism bombing operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a long-disputed region recognized as part of Azerbaijan under international law, but historically comprising a majority of Armenian population.

Turner's appointment was announced last month, and his arrival in Yerevan follows a joint statement signed by Canada, the United States, and more than 30 other countries, presented by France to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva last week.

Azerbaijan was also urged to ensure the rights and security of those remaining Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, and to work towards creating suitable conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of those wishing to return home.

The statement also called for dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan to ensure lasting peace in the Caucasus.

However, a senior Canadian diplomatic source told CBC News that there is little chance for the return of refugees who fled Nagorno-Karabakh to their homes.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan gained the decisive upper hand after the bombing campaign in September, which drove most Armenians in the region to seek refuge in neighboring Armenia. This campaign came after a blockade that lasted over nine months on the entry of food and medical supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Armenian government and some international observers have also accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing. Local journalists reported that civilians told them about family members who were killed during the Azerbaijani campaign.

Azerbaijan insisted that it conducted an anti-terrorism operation, stating that any Armenian wishing to live under its rule can return with full respect for their rights.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev traveled to the abandoned former capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Stepanakert, this weekend. A video posted by his government on social media showed him stepping on the flag of the separatist region.

Aliyev, who was wearing military attire, also delivered a speech in front of a building that had been used as the headquarters for the former Armenian ethnic Nagorno-Karabakh government. He stated that they are now having tea in the detention center, referring to some former occupants of the building who are now in custody.

He accused the previous regional government of not taking him seriously when he said that Nagorno-Karabakh would return to Azerbaijan's control.