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The EU will discuss with the Armenian government in autumn in Brussels the future of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMA).
“What we have agreed on is that we will continue our current work,” Dr. Markus Ritter, EUMA’s outgoing Head of Mission, told reporters at an event marking the mission’s 3rd anniversary in Armenia. “We will also continue patrolling the areas adjacent to the border and reporting on events there until the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan is signed and ratified. In autumn, the European Union will discuss the future of the mission in Brussels,” Ritter said.
Ritter also reflected on the mission’s nearly three years of work and the role it has played in facilitating the normalization of Armenia–Azerbaijan relations.
“When we arrived in Armenia, there was significant tension at the border, with shots fired and even casualties among military personnel. It was a very difficult period. During those days, we also realized that the population living in border communities was afraid that another clash might occur. Residents were concerned about the possibility of a new conflict, but that did not happen. From this perspective, I can say that the mission has been a success. The situation is calm and peaceful,” he said, highlighting that this calm environment allows Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage in dialogue and peacefully resolve the remaining issues.
Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan, who also spoke at the same event, said that Armenia wants the EU monitoring mission to continue its presence in the country.
EUMA, a civilian mission, was launched in 2023 for a two-year term at the request of Armenia following Azeri incursions. The civilian mission observes and reports on the security situation along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan. In January 2025, the EU extended the mandate of the EUMA for another two years. It’s stated mission is to “contribute to human security in conflict-affected areas in Armenia and contribute to build confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” However, article 7 of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty, which was initialed on August 8, 2025 and has yet to be formally signed and ratified by both countries, stipulates that Armenia and Azerbaijan “shall not deploy along their mutual border forces of any third party.”
In November 2025, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan announced that the format of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) is expected to change after the peace treaty with Azerbaijan is signed and ratified.