New Phase: The EU to Send 'Transitional' Team to Armenia, Borrell

The EU monitoring mission sent to Armenia in October has completed its mandate, reported the EU Council press service. As mentioned, in accordance with an agreement reached between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Council of Europe, and France, on October 20, the EUMCAP was deployed along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan for monitoring, analysis, and reporting on the local situation.

"The deployment of 40 experts for monitoring in Armenia has been effective and has contributed to building trust. Today, we are starting a new phase of EU cooperation in the South Caucasus with a transitional team that will prepare the ground for a possible long-term EU mission in Armenia, with the ultimate goal of promoting stable peace in the region," said Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

It is reported that the EU Council has agreed with the Armenian government that a support group will be sent from the EU monitoring mission in Georgia to Armenia that is intended for the transitional period.

"The transitional planning support group is expected to be supported by Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, as well as by the EU mediation between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Borrell added.