Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to a new humanitarian ceasefire from Saturday midnight (2000 GMT), both countries said on Saturday night.

Renaissance Square in Stepanakert, capital of Nagorno-Karabakh region. /Getty Images via CGTN

"This decision was taken following the statement of the presidents of the French Republic, the Russian Federation and the United States of America, representing the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, of October 1, 2020, the Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group of October 5, and in line with the Moscow Statement of October 10," Armenia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The first ceasefire between the two countries in the disputed area was agreed on after 10 hours of negotiation in Moscow on October 10, but fell apart in less than one day, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the agreement. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the fresh truce and stressed that it should be strictly respected by both sides. 

"This ceasefire must be unconditional and strictly observed by both parties. France will be very attentive to this and will remain committed so that hostilities cease permanently and that credible discussions can quickly begin," the president's office said in a statement.