The development of verification mechanisms in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone should not be delayed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a briefing following talks with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan in Moscow on Monday, October 12.

Lavrov noted that issues of control over whether the ceasefire is observed in Karabakh are key.

He recalled that the statement, which was adopted on the night of October 10 following a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, specifically stated that issues of developing mechanisms for monitoring compliance with the ceasefire will be elaborated additionally.

"Given the acute nature of the situation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh and the severity of the problem of prisoners of war and detainees and the need to return the bodies, the development of verification mechanisms should not be delayed," the Russian foreign policy chief said.

Mnatsakanyan said Armenia has always stressed the need for deploying verification mechanisms which would help determine which party did not honor the ceasefire, while the Azerbaijani side has been opposing the idea.

Meanwhile, the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons has signalled readiness to launch a humanitarian mission in the conflict zone if Azerbaijan remains committed to the ceasefire.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey, launched a large-scale offensive against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27, shelling Armenian positions and civilian settlements with large caliber weapons and rocket systems. Armenia and Karabakh have introduced martial law and total mobilization. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. International and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages, as well as the iconic Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi. Before a humanitarian ceasefire could begin on October 10, Azerbaijan launched a new offensive and struck settlements both in Karabakh and Armenia.