EU to continue monitoring mission in Armenia, says head of delegation

The European Union will maintain its monitoring mission in Armenia in line with its current mandate, with no immediate changes planned, the head of the EU Delegation in Yerevan, Vassilis Maragos, has said.

Speaking to journalists, Maragos was asked whether the deployment of third-party forces along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border would be reconsidered following the signing of a peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“As far as I know, both the Armenian people and authorities welcome the EU mission in Armenia. It continues its work, and if any adjustments become necessary, we will discuss them with our member states and, of course, with the Armenian authorities,” the head of delegation said.

At this stage, Maragos said he wants to assure the Armenian public that the EU mission will continue its activities in accordance with its mandate.

He added that no discussions had taken place in the wake of the agreement’s initialling in Washington on August 8, five months after the text of the peace treaty was agreed.

“The European Union mission in Armenia is here at the request of the Armenian authorities and will remain as long as necessary. It is an instrument of peace and conflict resolution, and we fully support it,” he added.

Under the agreement, Armenia and Azerbaijan have pledged to refrain from deploying any third-party forces along their shared border.

By Aghakazim Guliyev