EU extends mandate of bloc’s monitoring mission in Armenia until 2027

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - The European Union on Thursday adopted a decision to extend the 27-member bloc’s monitoring mission in Armenia until 2027.

The Council of the EU said it had adopted a decision to extend the mandate of the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) until Feb. 19, 2027.

A press release said over €44 million ($45.9 million) had been allocated for the mission.

The mission is an “essential component of the EU’s efforts in supporting peace and stability in the region,” it said, adding that EUMA will remain an unarmed civilian mission.

The Council of the EU established the mission in January 2023 to secure border areas of Armenia and "ensure an environment conducive to normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.”​​​​​​​

Relations between Baku and Yerevan have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Karabakh – a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan – and seven adjacent regions.

Most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan during a 44-day war in the fall of 2020, which ended after a Russian-brokered peace agreement that opened the door to ongoing normalization and demarcation talks.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan established full sovereignty in Karabakh after separatist forces in the region surrendered.​​​​​​​