EU ambassadors to meet in Brussels to discuss future of EUMA 

ArmInfo. EU ambassadors will discuss and decide in Brussels today on extending the EU mission in Armenia.

According to RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, if no surprises  arise at the last minute, the ambassadors will approve the project,  which will allow the EU civilian mission to remain in Armenia for  another two years, until February 19, 2027.

"The composition and number of observers, according to the draft  decision, will remain unchanged: 165 international and 44 Armenian  employees. The mission's observation zone, according to the official  statement, extends along the entire Armenian-Azerbaijani border,  including the Nakhichevan section," the Armenian service of Radio  Liberty writes.

On 23 January 2023, the EU Council agreed to establish a new EU  civilian mission to Armenia (EUMA) within the framework of the Common  Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The stated objective of the  Mission is to promote stability in the border areas of Armenia, build  confidence on the ground and provide conditions conducive to the  EU-supported efforts to normalise relations between Armenia and  Azerbaijan.

The EU civilian mission to Armenia included up to 100 specialists.  More than ?8 million was allocated for the first four months of the  Mission. EUMA's initial mandate is for two years, and its operational  headquarters is located in Yeghegnadzor.

The Mission began operating on 20 February 2023. It included, among  others, 8 French gendarmes and 15 police officers from Germany. In  addition, on December 11, 2023, following the EU Foreign Ministers'  meeting, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign  Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced his intention to  increase the mission's size to 209 people.