The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has proposed extending the EU’s civilian monitoring mission in Armenia for another two years. This was confirmed in a response from the EU press service to a query from the Armenian service of Radio Free Europe.
"EU member states have supported this proposal and are currently discussing the necessary legal acts with the relevant bodies of the EU Council. A decision by the Council on the extension is expected in the coming days," the response stated.
The EU also rejected accusations from Baku that the mission was engaging in espionage against Azerbaijan. The mission’s mandate includes monitoring and reporting on the situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, as well as supporting the EU's efforts to mediate between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Since the deployment of the observation mission, the number of armed incidents in the border regions has significantly decreased. Additionally, the EU regularly informs Azerbaijan about the activities of the mission," the response emphasized.
In February 2023, the first 100 civilian observers arrived in Armenia, and a few months later, their number was doubled.
Politics
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Russian investigators have confirmed that the crash of flight 8243, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), was the result of a missile strike, according to new findings from sources close to the investigation, as reported by the Azerbaijani pro-government outlet AnewZ.
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Azerbaijan's private broadcaster Baku TV aired a report on Friday accusing the "Russian House" in Baku of engaging in anti-Azerbaijani espionage activities under the guise of cultural and humanitarian work. The report, citing "trusted sources" without disclosing details, alleged that the Russian cultural center is fostering inter-ethnic discord and operating as a hub for intelligence activities.
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On January 24, the Baku Court of Appeals considered an appeal regarding the arrest of journalist Farid Ismailov. According to his lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova, the defense argued that there was no need to keep the journalist in custody, citing his health problems and the fact that the preliminary investigation had already been completed.
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The human rights situation in Azerbaijan in 2024 was characterized by an increase in repression against journalists, activists, and religious groups, the annual report of the NGO "Line of Defense," presented on January 24 by member of the organization, human rights activist Zafar Ahmedov.
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