The mission strongly opposed by Azerbaijan and Russia was launched in February 2023 with the aim of preventing or minimizing ceasefire violations there. Its two-year mandate ends next month.
“The EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy [Kaja Kallas] has proposed to extend the mission by another two years,” Anitta Hipper, the EU foreign policy spokesperson, told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
“Member States have welcomed the proposal and, in line with common practice, are currently discussing the necessary legal acts in the competent Council preparatory bodies. The formal [EU] Council decision on the extension is expected in the coming weeks,” Hipper said in written comments.
Azerbaijan demanded on December 12 the withdrawal of the more than 200 EU monitors deployed on the Armenian side of the long border. It has been trying to block their continued deployment through a corresponding clause in a draft peace treaty discussed by Baku and Yerevan.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has insisted, at least until this month, that the monitors should leave only demarcated sections of the border. Only a small section of it has been delimited and demarcated to date.
Commenting on Azerbaijani allegations that the EU mission is destabilizing the situation in the conflict zone, Hipper said: “With its activities, the mission in particular fosters confidence among communities impacted by the conflict. Since its deployment, the number of armed incidents in the areas along the border have decreased considerably. As is known, the EU has been informing Azerbaijan about the mission activities on a regular basis.”
The Armenian government has also praised the monitors’ record. But it is still not clear whether it has asked the EU to extend their presence.
Yerevan had requested the EU deployment after accusing Russia and other ex-Soviet allies of refusing to defend Armenia against Azerbaijani attacks in 2022. Moscow has also opposed the mission, saying that it is part of U.S. and EU efforts to drive Russia out of the South Caucasus.