EU committed work closely with Armenia, Azerbaijan towards  comprehensive resolution of conflict - EU Delegation to Armenia 

ArmInfo.The EU will continue its engagement in support of de-escalation efforts and is  committed work closely with both sides towards a comprehensive  resolution of the conflict, the EU Delegation to Armenia told  ArmInfo.

In accordance with the quadrilateral agreement reached by the leaders  of Armenia, Azerbaijan, European Council and France in Prague on 6  October 2022, and upon the proposal of High Representative Borrell,  the EU responded by establishing the Monitoring Capacity to Armenia  (EUMCAP) to monitor the security developments on the ground. 

In response to ArmInfo's question concerning the reports on the EU's  intention to send a monitoring mission to Armenia this February, the  EU Delegation stated: 

"During its two-month mandate EUMCAP Armenia deployed 40 EU  monitoring experts which conducted more than 175 patrols which  contributed to the stabilization of the situation on the ground.

"As a next step in the EU's engagement in the South Caucasus, the EU  has now deployed a transitional planning assistance team that is  preparing the ground for a possible longer term EU mission in  Armenia, with the ultimate goal of contributing to sustainable peace  in the region. The EU will continue its engagement in support of  de-escalation efforts and is committed work closely with both sides  towards a comprehensive resolution of the conflict."

Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security  Policy, made the following statement on December 19, 2022. 

"Today the EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia (EUMCAP), launched in  October, completes its mandate.

"Based on the agreement between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan,  European Council and France, the EUMCAP was deployed on 20 October  along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan  with the objective of monitoring, analysing and reporting on the  situation on the ground. 

"The deployment of 40 European monitoring experts has proved to be  effective and contributed to building confidence in an unstable  situation. Today we start a new phase in the EU's engagement in the  South Caucasus, with a transitional team that will prepare the ground  for a possible longer term EU mission in Armenia, with the ultimate  goal of contributing to sustainable peace in the region.

"Against this background, the Council - in agreement with Armenia's  authorities - decided that the existing EU Monitoring Mission in  Georgia (EUMM Georgia) will deploy a transitional planning assistance  team in Armenia to enhance the EU's awareness of the security  situation, and contribute to the planning and preparation of a  possible civilian CSDP mission in the country. The transitional  planning assistance team is also expected to support the President of  the European Council, Charles Michel, in the EU-facilitated  normalisation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan."

On Tuesday, the RFE/RL's Armenian Service, referring to its sources,  reported the EU intends to send a new monitoring mission to Armenia  this February. The mission will reportedly carry out its activities  throughout Armenia for 2 years.