By Gayane Aleksanyan
Germany is in the process of recruiting members of the European Union (EU) monitoring mission in Armenia. Victor Richter, German Ambassador to Armenia, stated about this in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am.
To note, the mission of the EU in Armenia started its work on February 20. There are 100 observers in the mission stationed along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border for a period of two years. As the European Union informed, 50 of them are unarmed. According to the decision of the German Federal Cabinet of Ministers, Germany will be represented in the mission by a maximum of 15 police officers.
Armenian News-NEWS.am spoke with Victor Richter, the German ambassador to Armenia, about the goals of this mission and Germany's efforts to establish stability in the region.
The ambassador said Germany participates significantly in this civil monitoring mission of the European Union, and it has supported the idea from the beginning. He said this mission, which started its activities a few days ago, will be headed by a German citizen. A group of Germans will be involved in the civilian mission. He could not say the exact number at the moment, they are currently in the recruitment phase. He said the mission is designed to support stability and confidence building in affected areas, as well as to cooperate with the population in order to increase stability in the region and affected areas. Of course, he said, this is a part of the great European effort, which Germany actively supports for a long-term peaceful settlement in the region and the South Caucasus. He said this is in the interests of everyone, and Germany actively supports the efforts of the European Union. He said Germany has an active political dialogue with Armenia and the countries of the region. He noted that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in Berlin today, where he will have a meeting with the German Chancellor and the President. The German ambassador said they always have an active dialogue and this will be continuous.
Regarding statements coming from Azerbaijan, that the latter’s president is unhappy with the decision to send a monitoring mission to Armenia without his consent, the German ambassador said he I cannot comment on those statements. But he said Azerbaijan, of course, participates in the negotiation process through international mediation, and the European Union actively supports it.
And regarding the statements from Russia that the latter considers sending the EU mission to Armenia as an attempt to create geopolitical tension, the German ambassador said these efforts are aimed at bringing prosperity, stability, and peace to the region. He added that this specific mission is aimed at strengthening trust and stability.
