Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/162 on a European Union mission in Armenia (EUMA)

Summary:

Decision (CFSP) 2023/162 - adopted by the Council of the European Union on 23 January 2023 - concerning a civilian European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) in the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Further information:

This Decision establishes a civilian European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) in the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The objective of the Mission is to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, building confidence on the ground, and ensuring an environment conducive to normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the European Union (EU).

The Armenian Foreign Minister invited the EU to establish an CSDP mission on 27 December 2022. The Crisis Management Concept for such a mission was approved by the Council of the European Union on 19 January 2023. The Decision was adopted by the Council on 23 January 2023 and published in the Official Journal on the following day.

Official

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 23/01/2023: Armenia: EU establishes a civilian mission to contribute to stability in border areas https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/01/23/armenia-eu-sets-up-a-civilian-mission-to-ensure-security-in-conflict-affected-and-border-areas/

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News

Interfax, 09/01/2023: EU experts arrive in Armenia https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/86721/

Politico, 18/01/2023: EU moves onto Putin’s turf with new Armenia monitoring mission https://www.politico.eu/article/eropean-union-putins-turf-new-armenia-monitoring-mission/

Reuters, 18/01/2023: Russia's Lavrov says Moscow ready to send mission to Armenia-Azerbaijan border https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-lavrov-says-moscow-ready-send-mission-armenia-azerbaijan-border-2023-01-18/

Associated Press (AP News), 23/01/2023: EU greenlights Armenia mission to ease border tensions https://apnews.com/article/politics-european-union-azerbaijan-europe-armenia-3f3d9e19dbfe37c8a6aab799b2a3fb59

Armenpress, 23/01/2023: France will be happy to participate in the European mission in Armenia. Minister of Foreign Affairs https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/1102382/

EurActiv, 24/01/2023: EU launches expanded Armenia border mission, US presses for progress on Karabakh https://www.euractiv.com/section/azerbaijan/news/eu-launches-expanded-armenia-border-mission-us-presses-for-progress-on-karabakh/

Reuters, 26/01/2023: Russia slams new EU mission to Armenia, says it will stoke tensions https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-slams-new-eu-mission-armenia-says-it-will-stoke-tensions-2023-01-26/

Euronews, 27/01/2023: Moscow accuses EU of fuelling 'geopolitical confrontation' with its mission in Armenia https://www.euronews.com/2023/01/27/moscow-accuses-eu-of-fuelling-geopolitical-confrontation-with-its-mission-in-armenia

The Moscow Times, 27/01/2023: EU Mission to Armenia Will Fuel Confrontation, Says Russia https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/01/27/eu-mission-to-armenia-will-fuel-confrontation-says-russia-a80059

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Commentary and Analysis

OBC TransEuropa, 25/01/2023: European Union Establishes Longer-Term Monitoring Mission in Armenia https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Armenia/European-Union-Establishes-Longer-Term-Monitoring-Mission-in-Armenia-223057

EurActiv: Opinion, 26/01/2023: EU mission in Armenia: Opportunity or risk? https://www.euractiv.com/section/azerbaijan/opinion/eu-mission-in-armenia-opportunity-or-risk/

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Politika, 16/02/2023: Could the New EU Mission Sideline Russia in Armenia-Azerbaijan Settlement? https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/89060

Friedrich Ebert Foundation: IPS Journal, 21/02/2023: The EU's new role in mediating between Armenia and Azerbaijan https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/democracy-and-society/the-eus-new-role-in-mediating-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan-6521/

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