EU Mission in Armenia Does Not Contribute to Regional Stabilization: Russian Foreign Ministry

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the EU’s decision to deploy a mission in Armenia does not contribute to stabilization in the South Caucasus. This was announced by Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin during a phone conversation with Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus.

“While discussing the topic of normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, M.Yu. Galuzin remarked that Brussels' decision to launch a so-called EU civilian mission in Armenia has a clear geopolitical context that does not promote real stabilization in the South Caucasus. It was emphasized that there is a lack of consensus between Baku and Yerevan regarding this initiative,” the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement read.

Earlier, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, commented on the initiation of the mission in Armenia, stating that “everything is being done to push Russia out of the region and weaken its historical role as the main guarantor of security.”

Previously, the EU Council had announced on February 20 the deployment of an EU civilian mission in Armenia (EUMA) under the framework of the union’s common security and defense policy. The EU Council had made the decision to send a civilian mission to the border areas of Armenia for a period of two years on January 23. The EU mission in Armenia (EUMA Armenia) will include up to 100 personnel, including around 50 unarmed observers.