EU Foreign Affairs High Representative Catherine Ashton briefed the MEPs on situation in Nagorno-Karabakh during European Parliament’s plenary session.

In her speech she stressed that preserving status quo in this situation is unacceptable, AZE.az reports.

According to her, resolution of the conflict will play a positive role in the development of the entire region and lead to its economic stability. Besides, settlement is strategically important for the EU, she said.

Therefore, Ashton believes that the parties must redouble their efforts to reach agreement on the basic principles by the end of 2011.

EU official also touched upon the last meeting of the presidents in Kazan, noting with regret that there was no breakthrough in the negotiations and no compromise was reached. However, Catherine Ashton stressed, the parties should continue to seek options for resolution of conflict by diplomatic means.

EU High Representative also added she was going to visit Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the situation in Karabakh.