EUMA to increase its presence from 138 staff to 209

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that the bloc will increase the number of observers for its mission in Armenia from 138 to 209.

“You know that we are currently working on strengthening our relations with Armenia.
I see that Armenia clearly sees the benefits of increasing cooperation with us, and we are ready to respond positively.

As a first step of this increasing cooperation, today the Foreign Affairs Council agreed to strengthen our civilian [CSDP] mission in Armenia (EUMA), increasing our presence on the ground from 138 staff to 209. This is an important increase of the size of the mission, and this is a way of increasing the stability of Armenia’s international border with Azerbaijan.

We believe that there is a historic chance to achieve peace in the region. It is an opportunity. We are committed to continue our support to these efforts – by working together with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The fact that we have decided to increase by such an important number our staff on this mission shows our clear commitment to the stability in the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and [is] an important contribution to the peace efforts,” Borrell told reporters in Brussels after the Foreign Affairs Council meeting.