YEREVAN.- Not only political will but will of the societies is needed to resolve the Karabakh conflict, head of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said in Yerevan.

Speaking at the Armenian parliament on Wednesday, he expressed concern over recent incidents along the line of contact urging the sides to follow recommendations of the Presidents of US, Russia and France, the heads of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing states. The European Union, he stressed, is ready to provide additional assistance to the process.

The sides must respect the ceasefire and refrain from use of force or threat of force, Van Rompuy noted.

“The goals we set, namely to build peace and multilateral cooperation, can be reached only through peace, stability and security,” he said.

He stressed that the resolution of the Karabakh conflict is a key to stability and prosperity, while solution to the conflict depends on both politicians and societies. The nations must no be hostages of their own past, they must overcome the pain and build the future. In this regard, Van Rompuy brought an example of France and Germany which managed to overcome lasting hatred and laid the basis of the European Union.

Photo by Sona Barseghyan