EU Council establishes new fully-fledged 100-member civilian mission  in Armenia

ArmInfo. In response to an enquiry by the Public TV of Armenia, the EU Delegation of the European Union to Armenia referred to the EU Monitoring Mission in  Armenia, commissioned on January 23 by the EU Council.

 "On 23 January the Council agreed to establish a civilian European Union  Mission in Armenia (EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence  Policy (CSDP). The objective of the Mission is to contribute to  stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence on the  ground, and ensure an environment conducive to normalisation efforts  between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU. The Mission has a  two-year mandate and will involve up to 100 staff, including EU  experts and monitors. It will become fully operational in the coming  weeks.  "EUMA will be deployed in several locations across Armenia's  territory, in border regions close to Azerbaijan. Its area of  operation will cover the entire length of the border with Azerbaijan,  including the Nakhchivan section," the report reads. 

"The Council established a new fully-fledged civilian mission in  Armenia (EUMA Armenia), which will have up to 100 staff to observe  and report on the situation on the ground, and thereby contribute to  human security and confidence building between Armenian and  Azerbaijani authorities," the EU Council reports. 

On January 23, the EU Council agreed to establish a civilian European  Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence  Policy (CSDP). The objective of the Mission is to contribute to  stability in the border areas of Armenia, building confidence on the  ground, and ensuring an environment conducive to normalisation  efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.

In response to Armenia's request, EUMA will conduct routine  patrolling and report on the situation, which will strengthen the  EU's understanding of the situation on the ground. The Mission will  also contribute to the mediation efforts in the framework of the  process led by President of the European Council Charles Michel.

EUMA will have an initial mandate of two years and its Operational  Headquarters will be in Armenia. The Civilian Operation Commander  will be Stefano Tomat, EEAS Managing Director of the Civilian  Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC). A Head of Mission leading  operations on the ground will be appointed in the near future.

"The establishment of an EU Mission in Armenia launches a new phase  in the EU's engagement in the South Caucasus. The EU will continue to  support de-escalation efforts and is committed to work closely with  both sides towards the ultimate goal of sustainable peace in the  region," Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and  Security Policy, said.