“When the Reports of Azerbaijani Forces Buildup Emerged, We Increased Our Patrols in Those Areas,” Ritter

Following the dissemination of reports regarding the buildup of Azerbaijani forces along the border with Armenia, the European Union's monitoring mission in Armenia has intensified its patrols in those areas. The observers have communicated their observations to Brussels.

In an interview with Armenpress, Markus Ritter, the head of the EU monitoring mission in Armenia, stated, “When reports and rumors about the buildup of Azerbaijani forces emerged, we increased our number of patrols in those border areas. We have been regularly reporting what we have seen to Brussels. We have also made posts on X, calling for an improvement in the situation and a de-escalation of tensions. It seems that, up to this moment, it has been effective.”

Ritter also addressed the opening of the EU mission's operational office in Ijevan, highlighting that it would allow the observers to conduct patrols in the Tavush region around the clock. “Today we have opened the office of the EU monitoring mission in Armenia in Ijevan, to carry out patrols in the Tavush region. Until now, we had conducted patrols in this region through our Martuni office. It was a long journey to reach this area, and the number of patrols was also limited. Now, having a permanent base here, we can patrol along the border with Azerbaijan day and night,” he detailed.

Markus Ritter also announced that at the end of this week, the headquarters of the EU monitoring mission will be opened in Yeghegnadzor. “Our headquarters is split—one is in Yeghegnadzor, and the other in Yerevan. Thus, from Friday, we will have a unified headquarters in Yeghegnadzor. Later, we will also open an operational base in Yeghegnadzor to conduct patrols in areas adjacent to Nakhchivan,” said the head of the EU monitoring mission.