Belgium to open embassy in Armenia - foreign minister

YEREVAN, May 14. /ARKA/. Belgium plans to open its embassy in Armenia and contribute to European Union's civilian observer mission, deployed in Armenia, said Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, according to Armenpress.

She said Armenia has so far been monitored by the Belgian embassy in Moscow, 'but geopolitical developments require monitoring on the ground.'

'Belgium's increased diplomatic attention towards this country and the region that has a strong Russian influence is part of the European neighborhood policy with regard to the countries to the east of the EU and bears witness to the concern for preserving security and stability in this strategically important region,' she was quoted by Armenpress as saying.

She said Belgium fully supports European efforts that can contribute to the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in particular through an EU civilian observation mission in Armenia, to which Belgium wishes to contribute.

‘Our country also attaches great importance to stability and good neighborliness in the South Caucasus. The opening of a diplomatic mission in Yerevan, in addition to our already existing embassy in Baku (Azerbaijan), stems from this vision,” she said.

The EU Mission in Armenia / EUMA) was established by a European Council Decision on 23 January 2023. Through its deployment on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, the objectives are to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence and human security in conflict-affected areas, and ensure an environment conducive to the normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.

The total – exclusively civilian - staff of the EUMA is approximately 100, including around 50 unarmed observers.

The Operational Headquarters of the mission are in Yeghegnadzor, in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor province. -0-