EU observation mission's activity in Armenia could be extended for another 2 years - PM

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. The activity of the observation mission of the European Union in Armenia can be extended for another 2 years, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, said during his speech at the parliament meeting.

Pashinyan considered the deployment of the EU civilian mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border an important result of the Prague quadrilateral meeting on October 6, 2022, the term of which was later extended for 2 years.

Now, the issue of extending the mission's term for another 2 years is under discussion. PM Pashinyan stated that the quadrilateral meeting in Prague is generally of key importance for achieving stability and peace in the South Caucasus.

"Extremely important decisions were made during the quadrilateral meeting in Prague. That is, Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration," the Prime Minister said.

Pashinyan considers the next most important agreement of the Prague meeting to be that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to demarcate the border between the two countries based on the Alma-Ata Declaration.

This means that in the process of delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan no new border will to be created, but the borders confirmed by the Alma-Ata declaration and later reaffirmed by the parties should be reproduced on the ground.

The Prime Minister emphasized that recently the President of Azerbaijan has reaffirmed his commitment to the Prague Agreements and the Alma-Ata Declaration. According to Pashnyan this could indeed become the basis for long-term stability and peace.

Pashinyan also considers the deployment of the EU civilian mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border an important result of the Prague quadrilateral meeting on October 6, 2022, the term of which was later extended for 2 years.

“Now, the issue of extending the mission's term for another 2 years is under discussion,” said the PM.

"The quadrilateral meeting in Prague is of key importance in achieving a stable and peaceful South Caucasus, and it provides a plan with a realistic and robust legal and political basis for establishing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I haven't had the opportunity to say it until now, but I must now say that the role of French President Emmanuel Macron in reaching these agreements is simply enormous.

Moreover, against this backdrop, targeting President Macron and France is surprising; it is incomprehensible and unacceptable to me and the Armenian government. If Macron is accused of providing a long-term mandate for the EU civilian mission, then this decision was made by consensus within the EU," said Pashinyan, thanking the leaders of all EU countries for the decision that was made at Armenia's request.