ArmInfo.The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) is implementing its mandate and accusations of carrying out any other activities are baseless, EU Ambassador to Armenia Vassilis Maragos said when asked to comment on the Azerbaijani foreign ministry's statement on EUMA.
"Our mission has a very clearly defined mandate. It is deployed on the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan, and is exclusively engaged in what is outlined in its mandate, to ensure its presence, to carry out patrols, with the goal of helping to ensure peace in the region. This is what we've always been doing. Any other accusation or slander on engaging in any other activities are absolutely baseless," he said, adding that it is the EU's position.
Speaking about the prospects for rapprochement of relations between Armenia and the EU, the ambassador noted that Yerevan and Brussels are today working on an agenda for a new partnership program. According to him, as soon as the agenda is developed, it will be announced. There is a need to respond to the aspirations of the Armenian people. And as good partners, they intend to do this, Mr Maragos said.
On February 6, 2024, Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Peter Michalko, responded to Baku's attacks on the civilian mission of the European Union in Armenia (EUMA).
"I regret that in the recent days, some media in Azerbaijan published absolutely baseless allegations against the EU Mission in Armenia. I underline that EUMA is a civilian, unarmed mission & its mandate is to observe. The presence of the mission aims to contribute to stability & confidence building. The EU will continue its efforts to support peace settlement between Azerbaijan & Armenia," Peter Michalko wrote on his X account.
On February 12, Mr Michalko was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, which expressed "particular concern" over intensified "binocular diplomacy."
The EU Mission in Armenia has essentially become an agent of "binocular diplomacy," facilitating the visits of different European officials and unofficial delegations to the border areas, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a press release.
"All such visits, without exception, are used for disseminating anti-Azerbaijani hate and replicating unfounded Azerbaijanophobia."
"Of particular concern is that such an intensification in 'binocular diplomacy' happens at a time when there is unprecedented calm situation along the border, and both Azerbaijan and Armenia have implemented serious confidence-building measures," the statement read.