Monday, February 26 2024 15:40

ArmInfo. The delegation of the German Bundestag, led by the head of the legal affairs commission  Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, got acquainted with the activities of the European Union Mission to Armenia (EUMA).

"Head of Mission Markus Ritter was happy to receive a delegation from  the German Legal Affairs Committee of the German Parliament-  Bundestag. The visitors joined EUMA monitors for a patrol to learn  more about the activities and work of the Mission," EUMA said on  Twitter (X).

The European Union launched an EU civilian mission in Armenia (EU   Mission in Armenia / EUMA) under its Common Security and Defence   Policy (CSDP).  The EUMA is a neutral and non-executive mission,  which will have a  two-year mandate, and was formally established by  the European   Council decision on 23 January 2023.  The Mission is  deployed on the Armenian side of the  Armenia-Azerbaijan border and  will 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 total -  exclusively civilian - staff of the EUMA is approximately  one  hundred persons, including around fifty unarmed observers.  The  Operational Headquarters of the mission is in Yeghegnadzor, in   Armenia's Vayots Dzor province.  EEAS Managing Director of  Civilian   Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) Stefano Tomat serves as the   Civilian Operation Commander, while Markus Ritter serves as Head of   Mission.  EUMA was preceded by an EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia  (EUMCAP).   The latter had deployed EU observers from the EU  Monitoring Mission  in Georgia from 20 October until 19 December  2022.  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.  "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.