Lavrov: EU openly uses relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan to advance  its dubious agenda

ArmInfo.Russia cannot comment in detail on the statements coming from Brussels. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated  on February 28 at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, when asked to comment on the statement of the EU Special  Representative on the upcoming meeting of representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels.

"We see how the EU openly uses its relations with Armenia and  Azerbaijan, promoting its so-called mission in the territory of the  Republic of Armenia, which raises serious doubts in terms of  legitimacy.  There are many questions to it, including from the point  of view of functions, mandate, duration, added value that it can  contribute to efforts to normalize relations between countries>, the  Russian Foreign Minister said.

However, he continued, it is the sovereign choice of the parties with  whom to cooperate and with whom not to cooperate.

<In all our actions, we are guided by the principle "Do no harm" and  promote such a solution to problems, which would be based, firstly,  on the principled agreements of the three leaders, within the  framework of their four statements, and secondly, would ensure  mutually beneficial and mutually respectful cooperation between all  countries of the region.

Not all players, especially those who are far from the Arava  Caucasus, are guided by the same principles.  They want to work here  not in favor of someone, but against someone. We see it, but I am  sure that the countries involved in the process also see it>, Lavrov  emphasized.

He also noted that he leaves on the conscience of the Armenian leader  all the statements made on the part of the EU mission.

In turn, Bayramov noted that the first phase of the EU civil mission  (in October - December last year - ed.  note) was agreed with the  Azerbaijani side and was temporary - two months and had two goals -  strengthening confidence building measures and promoting border  delimitation. He noted that both goals were not realized, and the  position of Armenia allegedly became more destructive with the start  of this mission. At the same time, he stressed that this mission was  not agreed with the Azerbaijani side.

The EUMA was formally established by a Council Decision on 23 January  2023.  Through its deployment on the Armenian side of the  Armenia-Azerbaijan border, it aims to contribute to stability in the  border areas of Armenia, build confidence and human security in  conflict affected areas, and ensure an environment conducive to the  normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the  EU.  The exclusively civilian staff of the EUMA will number  approximately 100 in total, including around 50 unarmed observers.   The mission's operational headquarters will be in Yeghegnadzor, in  the Vayots Dzor province of Armenia. EEAS Managing Director of the  Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), Stefano Tomat, will  serve as the Civilian Operation Commander, while Markus Ritter will  serve as the Head of Mission.