The EU mission increases the number of patrols on the border with Azerbaijan

Baku/12.09.23/Turan: After the dissemination of information about the accumulation of Azerbaijani troops on the border with Armenia, the EU observation mission in Armenia has increased patrolling in these border areas. The observers transmitted this information to Brussels , the head of the EU observation mission in Armenia, Markus Ritter, told "Armenpress".

"When there were rumors and talks about the accumulation of Azerbaijani forces, we increased the number of our patrols on these sections of the border. We regularly reported what we saw to Brussels," Ritter said. Referring to the opening of the operational office of the EU mission in Ijevan today, he said that this would allow observers to patrol the border areas of the Tavush region around the clock.

"Today we have opened an office in Ijevan for patrolling in the Tavush region. Prior to this, patrolling was carried out here through an office in Martuni. Now, having a permanent base here, we can patrol the border with Azerbaijan around the clock," he said.

Markus Ritter also said that the main headquarters of the EU observation mission will open in Yeghegnadzor at the end of this week. "Our main headquarters is divided: one in Yeghegnadzor, the other in Yerevan. So, from Friday we will have a joint headquarters in Yeghegnadzor. Later, we will open an operational base in Yeghegnadzor - for patrolling in the areas bordering Nakhichevan," Ritter stressed.

*The EU Civil Mission in Armenia (EUMA) started its work in February 2023. The total number of its personnel is 100 people, including about 50 unarmed observers.

According to the mandate, the EU Mission is designed for two years in order to promote stability in the border areas of Armenia, strengthen trust and security in the regions affected by the Karabakh conflict, as well as contribute to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. ---02D---