By Paul Vartan Sookiasian
The European Union’s border monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA), which is now beginning its second two-year mandate, has contributed to a significant decrease in tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. That’s according to its head Markus Ritter, in an interview with the state news agency Armenpress to mark the occasion.
Ritter attributed this not only to EUMA’s patrolling efforts but also to ongoing political negotiations between the two countries. He noted the mission’s extension demonstrates that both the European Union and the Armenian government see it as a useful tool for maintaining stability. The EUMA is strictly an unarmed civilian mission that focuses on fostering stability and trust in the region.
Azerbaijan, however, has been fiercely opposed to the mission’s presence, even demanding that it must be removed before a normalization treaty can be signed between the two countries. In recent weeks Azerbaijan’s State Border Service has been releasing videos of the monitors conducting their duties on the border, accusing them of espionage.
Ritter firmly denied the accusations, stressing that the mission operates with full transparency, patrolling openly and notifying Baku in advance about its movements. He countered that the mission is not convenient for either side because they bring an impartial international view into the conflict zone. “This means for both the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides that they simply cannot start anything without letting us, the international community, and especially Brussels, know that something is happening,” he said.
In response to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s demand for the EUMA’s removal, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has proposed its patrols could be limited in the areas that have already been demarcated, currently amounting to a few miles along Armenia’s northeastern Tavush region. Ritter stated the mission was fine with that, but it will continue visiting the villages near the border in order to engage with the local communities and enhance their sense of security.
Ritter described the current border situation as calm, with both sides fortifying their positions but avoiding conflict. He said while both nations remain prepared for potential escalations, no immediate tensions are visible.
Looking ahead, Ritter confirmed that the mission’s structure and objectives will remain unchanged under the extended mandate. In addition to border monitoring and security patrols, EUMA plans to expand community outreach efforts, including school visits in border villages to educate local populations about the EU’s mission and values.
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