Armenians lay down arms in Nagorno-Karabakh

(Patria) - The authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh have agreed to a ceasefire, Russian and Armenian media report, citing the Karabakh information centre.

Azerbaijan, which yesterday began shelling Karabakh as part of an "anti-terrorist operation", confirmed that the forces of the Karabakh region have agreed to lay down their arms, and that a meeting between Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh and official Baku will be held tomorrow.

Furthermore, the leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh stated that they consider the Azerbaijani authorities to be "central" in that region and that they intend to build a constructive dialogue with Baku.

According to the authorities of the unrecognised republic, the decision on a unilateral ceasefire was made through the mediation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"An agreement has been reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and the disbandment and complete disarmament of the armed formations of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defence, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh," explain the Nagorno-Karabakh information centre.

It is added that "issues of ensuring the existence of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh will be discussed at a meeting between representatives of the local Armenian population and representatives of the central authorities of Azerbaijan, which will be held tomorrow."

Soon after, a reaction from official Azerbaijan arrived, reported by Turkish media.

"At the proposal of the administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a meeting will be held tomorrow in Yevlakh with representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh to discuss issues of reintegration based on the Constitution and laws," the office of the President of Azerbaijan announced.