WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A humanitarian ceasefire will take effect on Monday in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, a joint statement from the U.S. State Department and the two governments said.
The ceasefire will take effect at 8 am local time on Oct 26, according to the statement.
Visiting foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun on Saturday and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed earlier this month, the statement said.
A new round of armed conflict broke out on Sept 27 along the contact line of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous region since 1988.
Peace talks have been held since 1994 when a ceasefire was reached, although there have been minor sporadic clashes.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has lauded the agreement reached by Armenia and Azerbaijan on a ceasefire entering into force on Oct 26.
“The Secretary-General welcomes the joint statement issued today by the Governments of the United States, Armenia and Azerbaijan announcing that the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on 10 October and reaffirmed in Paris on 17 October will take effect at 8 a.m., local time, on Monday 26 October,” Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary General, said in a statement. — NNN-AGENCIES
