The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that it has extended an invitation to a United Nations mission to visit Nagorno-Karabakh “in the coming days.”

The mission is scheduled to visit Nagorno-Karabakh in the coming days, according to a statement by the ministry.

This development marks a significant step as it grants the United Nations access to Nagorno-Karabakh for the first time in approximately three decades.

United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has confirmed that the mission will be led by a senior U.N. aid official and is set to embark on its journey to Nagorno-Karabakh over the upcoming weekend.

Dujarric emphasized the mission's objectives, stating: “While there, the team will seek to assess the situation on the ground and identify the humanitarian needs for both people remaining and the people that are on the move.” He further called upon all parties involved to adhere to international law during this critical humanitarian mission.

“The focus will be on humanitarian and also, as part of that, on issues of protection,” Dujarric noted, highlighting the mission's commitment to addressing the pressing humanitarian concerns in the region. (ILKHA)