Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has proposed extending the deployment of the EU civilian mission in Armenia for another two years, the High Representative’s press office told Radio Liberty.
“Member states have welcomed the proposal and are currently discussing the necessary legal acts with the relevant bodies of the Council of the European Union. The Council’s decision on the extension is expected in the coming days,” the written response provided to Radio Liberty states.
For months Baku has been accusing the mission of espionage and undermining regional stability.
The Office of the High Representative said in response: “The mandate of the EU mission in Armenia is very clear: to observe and report on the ground, on the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border from Armenia and to contribute to the EU’s efforts to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Since the deployment of the monitoring mission, the number of armed incidents in the border areas has significantly decreased. As is known, the EU regularly informs Azerbaijan about the mission’s activities.”
EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) was launched by the decision of EU Foreign Affairs Council on 20 February 2023, when it also started its operational activities. EUMA is tasked with observing and reporting on the situation on the ground, contributing to human security in conflict-affected areas and supporting the confidence building between Armenia and Azerbaijan, where possible. EUMA is an essential component of the EU’s efforts in supporting peace and stability in the region.
The EU established the Mission in response to an official request by the Armenian authorities to deploy a full-fledged EU civilian mission on the ground. This deployment follows the successful experience of the EU Monitoring Capacity (EUMCAP) deployed previously on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border between 20 October 2022 and 19 December 2022.
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