We condemn in the strictest terms the gross violation by Azerbaijan of the humanitarian truce agreement, which entered into force at 00:00 on 18 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic reported.

The irresponsible and destructive steps of the Azerbaijani side indicate that Azerbaijan and Turkey are unable and unwilling to fulfill either their obligations under international conventions or the agreement on a ceasefire for humanitarian purposes reached with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states, the statement said.

Once again, Azerbaijan and Turkey have demonstrated that they continue to consider agreements on a humanitarian ceasefire and talks in general exclusively in the context of a military resolution of the conflict. Only the international recognition of Artsakh can suppress the Azerbaijani-Turkish treacherous behavior undermining the efforts and authority of international mediators.

The recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh will put an end to attempts to resolve the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict by force and will give the necessary impetus for the effective continuation of international mediation efforts within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship. We reaffirm our commitment on a reciprocal basis to observe a humanitarian truce, which can become a reality only if Azerbaijan is forced to fulfill its obligations.