Brussels says won’t extend EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Brussels will not extend the term of activities of the EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia, European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell told a press conference on Monday, December 12, Armenpress reports.

Borrell said that a respective decision was made during the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, although added that the Monitoring Capacity has proved to be effective.

“But in line with the Agreement with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, this Capacity would complete its activities on 19 December,” the diplomat said.

“Nevertheless, in order to maintain our credibility as a facilitator of the dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a team will be deployed to Armenia in order to plan a possible civilian mission to be launched, in case of agreement, for next year. But this EU Monitoring Capacity to Armenia will reach an end on the 19th of this month.”

The EU Monitoring Capacity responds to the agreement reached at the quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, French President Macron and President of the European Council Michel. Upon proposal of the High Representative Josep Borrell, the decision on the setting up of the EU Monitoring Capacity was taken at the Foreign Affairs Council on 17 October. The first EU monitors are operational on the ground as of 20 October. The mission’s mandate is to monitor the situation in the border regions between Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to support confidence building between the two countries and allow the EU to better support the work of the border commissions.