Paris backs expansion of EU Mission in Armenia

French Minister Delegate for Europe Jean-Noël Barrot has expressed hope that the European Union’s monitoring and reconnaissance mission in Armenia will be further expanded to help ease regional tensions.

French Ambassador to Armenia, Olivier Decottignies, shared the minister’s remarks via social media, Caliber.Az reports, referencing Armenian media.

“I hope that the EU mission deployed there will be expanded so that it can observe and help reduce tensions,” Decottignies quoted Barrot as saying.

To recall, the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) was first deployed to Armenia on February 20, 2023, with an initial mandate of two years. Originally comprising 100 personnel, the mission was later expanded to 209 in December 2023.

The Armenian Parliament ratified an agreement in March 2024 granting the mission official status, which includes legal immunities and privileges such as protection from arrest or detention.

In late January, the European Council extended the mission’s mandate by another two years, now running until February 19, 2027.

By Aghakazim Guliyev