EU proposes extension of EUMA term

YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has proposed to extend by two years the term of the EU monitoring mission in Armenia, RFE/RL’s Armenian service reported citing a statement issued by Kallas’ office.

“The member states have welcomed the proposal and are now discussing the necessary legal acts with the relevant bodies of the Council of the European Union. The Council’s decision around the extension is expected in the coming days,” the press office of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy told RFE/RL’s Armenian service in written comments.

Azerbaijan has been accusing the EU monitoring mission in Armenia (EUMA) of espionage and bringing instability to the region. In response to the accusations, the EU foreign policy chief’s office said , “The mandate of the European Union mission in Armenia is very clear, to observe and report on the ground the situation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border from the Armenian side and contribute to the European Union’s efforts in the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization. The number of armed incidents in the border areas has dropped significantly since the deployment of the monitoring mission. As it is known, the EU is regularly informing Azerbaijan about the activities of the mission.”

EUMA is a non-executive, non-armed civilian Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) Mission. EUMA observes and reports on the security situation along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan. The mission was launched in 2023 with a term of 2 years.