RA Security Council Sec meets with new EUMA head 

ArmInfo.  Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan received the newly appointed Head of the European Union Civilian Mission to Armenia,  Sata Koivu.

According to the press service of the Security Council of Armenia,  Grigoryan congratulated Koivu on assuming her post and wished her  success in her future endeavors. He also expressed gratitude for the  work accomplished by the EU Civilian Mission to Armenia and  emphasized Armenia's readiness to continue effective cooperation.

In turn, Koivu noted that she will contribute her experience and  knowledge to further enhance the mission's effectiveness.

It is worth noting that on January 10, 2025, High Representative of  the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas proposed  extending the deployment of the EU Civilian Mission to Armenia for  another two years. As a reminder, on 23 January 2023, the EU Council  agreed to establish a new EU Civilian Mission to Armenia (EUMA)  within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy  (CSDP).  The stated objective of the Mission is to promote stability  in Armenia's border areas, build confidence on the ground, and create  conditions conducive to EU-supported efforts to normalize relations  between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The EU Civilian Mission to Armenia was comprised of up to 100  specialists. Over ?8 million was allocated for the first four months  of the Mission's operation. EUMA's initial mandate is for two years,  and its operational headquarters is located in Yeghegnadzor.

The Mission became operational on 20 February 2023. Its composition  includes eight French gendarmes and 15 German police officers.  Furthermore, following the EU Foreign Ministers' Council meeting on  11 December 2023, the High Representative of the European Union for  Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced the  intention to increase the Mission's size to 209 personnel.