EU on normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan

ArmInfo. The EU stated that the normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan should not become a hostage to competition between the EU and Russia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano told RIA Novosti.  He  commented on the reaction of the Russian Foreign Ministry to the  launch of a new two-year European mission in Armenia to normalize the  region.

At a meeting on January 23, the EU Foreign Ministers approved the  establishment of a civilian mission in Armenia to promote  stabilization in the border areas, strengthen confidence and  normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is expected  that the mandate of the mission will be two years, its operational  headquarters will be deployed in Armenia.

He stressed that the EU believes that the Russian Federation is  mistaken, believing that the role of the EU in the settlement between  Armenia and Azerbaijan is directed against Russia. "Russia has  obviously misunderstood the purpose of this mission and continues to  misjudge the involvement of the EU in our common neighboring region  as directed against Russia. More importantly, this is not Russia's  business. The EU mission was launched based on the request and free  decision of the authorities Armenia. The EU was also, of course, in  contact with the Azerbaijani authorities on this issue," the  representative of the European External Action Service explained.

He added that "the EU is also aware of the role played by Russia to  stop the clashes in November 2020." " This mission is civilian and  will serve as a key element in supporting EU efforts to normalize  Armenian- Azerbaijani relations. The EU took on this role after a  corresponding request from both sides," the agency's interlocutor  said.

He noted that "the purpose of the mission, in particular, is to  promote the security of the population on the ground and build  confidence. All other rumors and speculation that are being  circulated these days in social networks are completely groundless."

As RIA Novosti writes, on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry,  commenting on the launch of a new EU mediation mission in Armenia,  stated that the deployment of EU representatives in the border  regions of Armenia may only bring geopolitical confrontation to the  region and exacerbate existing contradictions, EU attempts to oust  Russia's mediation efforts in the Transcaucasus may damage the  fundamental interests of Armenians and Azerbaijanis and the return of  peace to the region. The Foreign Ministry is convinced that the key  factor for stability and security in the region for the foreseeable  future remains "the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed on the  basis of the statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and  Armenia dated November 9, 2020, as well as the Russian border guards  serving on the Armenian borders." "They will react to the behavior of  the EU observers, taking into account the development of the  situation" on the ground, "the Foreign Ministry added.