The European Union stands ready to assist in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy has said.

Speaking at a joint news conference after a meeting with President Serzh Sargsyan, the European official confirmed that the EU has enough resources and expertise to carry out the plan.

He also expressed concerns over the recent border clashes that claimed several lives, and called upon Azerbaijan and Armenia to respect the Ceasefire Accord.

Rumpuy added that only negotiations can help the parties to achieve peace and record a progress in the conflict settlement efforts. According to him, peaceful talks are the only way to promote progress in Armenia and reconfirm the Minsk Group co-chairing countries’ statement on achieving a settlement based on the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.

President Serzh Sargsyan hailed the Union’s willingness to achieve a long-term peace in the region.

“The threats to use force, as well as armed provocations are as unacceptable in the 21^st century Europe as xenophobic statements, intolerance and the attempts to proofread history,” he said.