Armenia: EU launches a civilian mission to contribute to stability in border areas

Today, the European Union is launching the EU civilian mission in Armenia (EU Mission in Armenia/EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The EUMA was formally established by a Council Decision on 23 January 2023. Through its deployment on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, it aims to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence and human security in conflict affected areas, and ensure an environment conducive to the normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.

The exclusively civilian staff of the EUMA will number approximately 100 in total, including around 50 unarmed observers.

The mission’s operational headquarters will be in Yeghegnadzor, in the Vayots Dzor province of Armenia. EEAS Managing Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), Stefano Tomat, will serve as the Civilian Operation Commander, while Markus Ritter will serve as the Head of Mission.

In a letter to the High Representative received on 27 December 2022, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia invited the EU to deploy a civilian CSDP mission to Armenia.

On 23 January 2023, the Council adopted a decision establishing the EUMA. The EUMA is a neutral and non-executive mission which will have a 2-year mandate.

The EUMA was preceded by an EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia (EUMCAP). The latter had deployed EU observers from the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia from 20 October until 19 December 2022.

• Armenia: EU establishes a civilian mission to contribute to stability in border areas (press release, 23 January 2023)
• Armenia: EU Monitoring Capacity completes its mandate, new planning team launched (press release, 19 December 2022)
• Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders (press release, 17 October 2022)
• Statement following quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Macron and President Michel (6 October 2022)

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