On September 17, the de facto authorities of unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to the simultaneous opening of the Aghdam and Lachin routes for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region. “Taking into account the deepening disaster and security situation in the country, the authorities of the Artsakh Republic [Karabakh] have decided to accept the joint proposal of the Stepanakert office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the command of the Russian military group carrying out a peacekeeping mission for the simultaneous transfer of humanitarian cargo to the Red Cross through the Berdzor [Lachin]  corridor, on the Goris-Stepanakert [Khankendi] highway, and on the Akna-Stepanakert [Aghdam] road, with cars of the international committee (goods of foreign origin),” the statement says. 

The statement from the Karabakh InfoCenter added that the organization of the process is essential to mitigate threats to the lives and health of their citizens and to facilitate the transportation of humanitarian goods through the Lachin corridor. Additionally, it mentioned that mediators are actively working to arrange a meeting between the official Karabakh and Azerbaijani representatives to address the region's challenging humanitarian and security situation.

On the same day, spokesman of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizade commented on the situation. "The proposal on parallel use of Lachin-Khankendi and Aghdam-Khankendi roads has long been promoted by Azerbaijan and widely discussed at various levels. Unfortunately, despite the agreements reached and appeals of international partners, Armenia and the so-called regime created by it in the Karabakh region hindered the organization of such a crossing".

"Today, addressing the Azerbaijani side, the ICRC provided preliminary information that on September 18 the opposite side agreed to the parallel reception of cargoes from the Aghdam-Khankendi [Stepanakert] and Lachin-Khankendi [Stepanakert] roads. The ICRC is expected to present an official note on this to the Azerbaijani side in the near future. As noted earlier, the Azerbaijani side is ready to organize parallel use of Aghdam-Khankendi [Stepanakert] and Lachin-Khankendi [Stepanakert] roads in compliance with the requirements of the legislation of our country," Hajizade noted.