EU to Send Expert Team to Armenia for New Civil Mission, Says Peter Stano

The European Union will send an expert team to Armenia in the coming weeks to assess the possibility of deploying a new civil mission, EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano has announced, without specifying exact timelines.

“The EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar is in constant contact with the parties. Currently, the Union and member states are consulting with local partners to discuss how they can contribute to sustainable peace through engagement on the ground. To this end, the EU will send an expert team to Armenia in the coming weeks to explore the possibility of establishing a new mission to help build trust,” Stano stated in his written response.

The EU's civil monitoring mission will conclude in six days. The foreign policy spokesperson did not directly respond to the question posed by “Azatutyun” regarding why the EU decided not to extend this operational mission, especially given that the official Yerevan welcomed such an opportunity. Stano simply emphasized that the parties had agreed in Prague to deploy monitors in Armenia for two months, stating, “As High Representative Borrell has mentioned, we want to honor our commitment, and the mission will conclude its activities by December 19.”

Stano also disclosed that during this time, the monitors have conducted 136 observations, tracking the parties' adherence to the ceasefire. They have submitted reports to the EU, which allows the institution to better support the work of the parties’ border commissions.