EU to extend spy mission in Armenia for two more years

The European Union has decided to extend its intelligence and surveillance mission in Armenia for an additional two years, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said.

The proposal has been welcomed by EU member states, who are now in discussions with the relevant bodies of the EU Council to finalize the necessary legal actions, Caliber.Az reports citing Armenian media.

The decision to extend the mission is expected to be made in the coming days, with the EU Council's official stance anticipated shortly, the press service of the High Representative told Armenian media.

This extension follows repeated accusations from Azerbaijan and Russia, which have criticized the EU mission in Armenia, claiming that it engages in espionage and destabilizes the region.

The EU announced the launch of the mission in Armenia in February 2023. At the end of 2023, the EU increased the number of observers from 138 to 209. The mission was expected to last until 2025. The EU will provide more than €39 million to fund the mission for two years.

Earlier, former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the expansion of the mission would serve as a means to enhance stability along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

However, several Armenian political analysts and experts have previously stated that the main purpose of the EU mission in Armenia is to carry out intelligence activities against Russia and Iran.

By Vafa Guliyeva