YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, ARMENPRESS. The EU monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) is expanding its presence in the Syunik Province.

EUMA has opened a new hub in Kapan in addition to its Goris office.

Ambassadors representing EU states in Armenia, as well as Governor of Syunik Robert Ghukasyan participated in the opening ceremony.

EUMA Head of Mission Markus Ritter told reporters that they plan to have six operational hubs in Armenia. The Kapan hub is the fourth EUMA hub in Armenia, the other three being in Martuni, Jermuk and Goris. New hubs will be opened in Ijevan and Yegheghnadzor soon.

Ritter said that the Kapan hub is highly important for the mission given its strategic position, and added that it will allow them to "expand its mission in Syunik province, carry out more regular observations and reports on the security situation of the province.”

He expressed hope that the opening of the Kapan hub will have a positive impact on the peace process, which is supported by the EU. Ritter also expressed hope that the population of Syunik will feel safer.

Governor Ghukasyan commended the opening of the Kapan hub and thanked the EU.

“The presence of the monitoring mission will have a suppressive effect along the border,” he said.