EU decides to strengthen observation capacity in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The EU Foreign Affairs Council has agreed to strengthen the observation capacity of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) within the Mission’s existing Area of Operations on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, by increasing its presence on the ground from 138 staff to 209.

The EUMA was deployed on 20 February 2023 with a two-year mandate. The EUMA will remain a fully civilian and unarmed EU Mission operating as an impartial actor.

“The increase in mission personnel underlines the EU’s commitment to peace and security in the region. The Mission will now be able to conduct more patrols on the ground. As a result, it will be better placed to observe and report on the security situation on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, as well as to contribute to human security in conflict-affected areas”, Head of EUMA Markus Ritter said, according to a message shared by the bloc on Monday, December 18.

The Mission is tasked with observing and reporting on the situation on the ground; contributing to human security in conflict-affected areas and based on the above, contributing to EU high-level efforts aimed at building confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan and their normalisation efforts.

The Mission conducts patrols from six Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) located in the cities of Kapan, Goris, Jermuk, Yeghegnadzor, Martuni, and Ijevan. This extensive coverage spans the entire international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The reinforcement of the Mission will enable it to conduct more patrols, thus enhancing the presence on the ground and the engagement with the local population on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border.