21:25,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova referred to the start of the work of the EU civilian observation mission in the border regions of Armenia, answering the question of a journalist.

ARMENPRESS reports, the message posted on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry states that the journalist asked the following question. "On February 20, the European Union’s civilian observation mission in the border regions of Armenia begins its work. What can you say about this?"

"Emphasizing the exclusively civilian nature of the new mission, the representatives of the European Union are not honest. It is in the sidelines of the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy, so it needs to be treated accordingly. Alas, it is not the first time that we record the desire of the EU and the entire West to strengthen its positions in our ally Armenia by all means.

In those attempts, we see only a geopolitical context, which is far from the interests of real normalization of relations in Transcaucasia. Everything is being done to push Russia out of the region and weaken its historical role as the main guarantor of security. Publicly expressed negative assessments of Baku regarding this initiative are ignored," replied Zakharova.

According to Zakharova, the experience of the European Union's participation in the settlement of various regional conflicts is ambiguous. "Brussels can hardly boast of success in this field. For example, mediation efforts and the EU mission in the Serbian state of Kosovo. This should be taken into account when evaluating the EU decision on the new mission in Armenia," she noted.

Maria Zakharova assured that the package of agreements between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia remains the main factor of stability and security in the region in the foreseeable future. "The shortest way to improve the situation in the region is through their comprehensive implementation, including the unblocking of transport communications, the demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the establishment of relations between the publics, experts, religious circles, parliamentarians of the two countries, as well as the negotiations towards a peace treaty. The Russian Federation is ready to contribute to this in every possible way," emphasized the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.