EU Special Representative Herbert Salber and President Serzh Sarkissian and. (Source: Public Radi oof Armenia)

YEREVAN (Combined Sources) — President Serzh Sarkissian recently met with Herbert Salber, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia.

The President welcomed the guest and congratulated him on the extension of his mandate. Sarkissian expressed hope that Salber will do his best in the framework of his mandate – to establish trust between the warring parties in the region, which will be conducive for the efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the conflict. Sarkissian stressed the importance of maintaining a balanced position and implementation of the commitment to create an atmosphere which would be favorable for the comprehensive resolution of the issue by the EU.

The EU Special Representative assured that the EU is interested in a speedy and peaceful resolution and is eager, within the scope of its abilities, to promote the resolution of the issue.

The parties also spoke about the recent developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace negotiations conducted in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, including the current situation and possibilities of the registering progress. The President of Armenia introduced the position of the Armenian side.

Sarkissian and Salber even exchanged views on the avenues that the EU can use to assist the peaceful resolution of the conflict. The parties stressed once again that there is no military solution to the Artsakh issue and said it can solved based on the compromise which would meet the interests of the conflicting parties.

Salber also met with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

During the meeting the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation process was again discussed. Minister Nalbandian briefed Salber on the results of the meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held last month in Bern.

Salber reaffirmed the support of the European Union to the efforts of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at an exclusively peaceful settlement of the issue.

The sides reflected on Armenia-EU cooperation and exchanged thoughts on the results of the 16th session of Armenia-EU Cooperation Council.

Armenia’s Foreign Minister and the EU Special Representative touched upon developments unfolding in the states and regions adjacent to the South Caucasus.