YEREVAN. - The tension in the region seriously increased in a short period of time, posing a direct threat to the population of border regions of the Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said at a meeting with the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia,   Ambassador Herbert Salber.

Sargsyan stressed that EU’s balanced stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, as well as the implementation of its commitment to create favorable climate for the conflict normalization are currently important more than ever.

Ambassador Salber noted the necessity of speedy peaceful settlement of the conflict, assuring that the EU is ready to continue its balanced policy in the region.

Referring to the situation in the region over the four months following Mr. Salber’s previous visit to the region, the President said that the tension in the region seriously increased in a short period of time, posing a direct threat to the population of border regions of the Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. He also stressed that Armenia is ready to continue its constructive cooperation in favor of regional peace, stability and security.

Upon the request of the guest, the President presented his stance on the recent developments of the negotiation process. Sargsyan underscored the importance of timely and targeted reaction and not general statements in connection with the violation of ceasefire, as well as measures to be taken, which will prevent further provocations.

The interlocutors agreed that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict cannot be resolved by military means and can be settled exclusively in a peaceful manner on the basis of compromises.