Mirzoyan: If peace agreement is signed, there will be no need for EU monitoring mission

YEREVAN, April 15. /ARKA/. The need for the European Union’s monitoring mission will cease to exist if a peace agreement is signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which would allow residents of border areas to feel safe, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.

“Currently, the EU’s civilian mission is monitoring the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The mission’s mandate, as well as its ultimate goal, is to strengthen stability and peace between the two countries. If a peace agreement is signed, if we continue the demarcation process, and as a result achieve lasting stability, then the people living in the border regions, on both the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides will feel secure and will be able to go about their daily lives in peace. In that case, there would no longer be a need for the monitoring mission,” Mirzoyan said in an interview with Turkish broadcaster NTV.

According to Mirzoyan, the shortest and most effective way to resolve the current issues is through the signing and ratification of a peace agreement.

EU Mission in Armenia

The EU Civilian Mission in Armenia (EUMA) was launched on February 20, 2023, under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), with an initial two-year mandate. On January 30, 2025, the mandate was extended for another two years.

EUMA operates patrols from six operational bases located in Kapan, Goris, Jermuk, Yeghegnadzor, Martuni, and Ijevan. The mission’s goals are to stabilize the situation in Armenia’s border areas, build trust and enhance the security of people in conflict-affected regions, and create conditions conducive to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the EU’s support.