Speaker: EU mission prevents possible border escalations

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, stated that the European Union’s civilian mission in Armenia has significantly reduced incidents along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and prevented potential escalation. He made these remarks during the fourth session of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Partnership Committee in the Armenian Parliament.

Simonyan also expressed gratitude for the EU’s financial assistance, which supports Armenia’s reforms and strategic initiatives, Armenpress reports.

"This is all happening within the framework of deepening Armenia-EU cooperation, which is setting a new agenda," he noted.

The Speaker pointed to several key developments in recent months as evidence of this growing partnership, including the initiation of dialogue on visa liberalization, Armenia’s inclusion in the European Peace Facility program, and the extension of the EU civilian mission’s mandate for another two years.

Speaking about the impact of the EU monitoring mission, Simonyan emphasized: "It has clearly and significantly reduced the number of incidents at the border and prevented the risk of potential escalation."

Additionally, he recalled that on February 13, Armenia’s National Assembly passed the first reading of a law initiating Armenia’s EU membership process, which, in his view, reflects the determination of Armenian citizens to become part of the European family.

The mandate of the EU civilian mission in Armenia has been extended for two years, until February 2027.