Brussels views EUMA`s work as useful tool for contributing to  stability in South Caucasus - Markus Ritter

ArmInfo.The extension of the mandate of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia by the Council of the European Union demonstrates that Brussels views the mission's work as a useful tool for contributing to stability in the South Caucasus, Markus Ritter, Head of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA), stated in an interview with Armenpress. 

Ritter also noted that since the beginning of the mission's  activities on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in February 2023,  border incidents between the two countries have significantly  decreased.

"It is obvious that since we arrived  (ed. EU Monitoring Mission in  Armenia) in Armenia on February 23, 2023, the number of incidents  along the border and the Line of Control between Azerbaijan and  Armenia has significantly decreased. I am sure that it is also an  impact we have, our patrolling along the border, and our presence  that helps decrease incidents. It is not only us, but also the  political environment, the talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, that  help decrease incidents. I am confident that with our presence, we  support this general process," he said. 

As to the EU's decision to extend the mandate of the EU Mission in  Armenia for another two years, until 2027, Mr Ritter said. 

"The decision itself shows that the European Union sees us (ed.  refers to the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia) as a useful tool here  to contribute to stability in the South Caucasus. It also makes it  clear that the Armenian side wants us to stay, because we are here on  the invitation of the Armenian government, and with this agreement or  the agreement between the European Union and the Armenian government  that we should stay two years longer, which shows that they see us  positively." 

In response to Azerbaijan's claims that EUMA does not contribute to  the stability of the region, between Yerevan and Baku, accusing the  mission of conducting intelligence work on the border areas., Mr  Ritter said: 

As I have already said, the number of incidents has decreased, and  the people feel safer and more secure.  That is a fact, and that is  part of our work. Regarding the accusation of intelligence work, from  the very first day that we have been here, we have been doing the  same thing we are doing now, and we never change that. We are  patrolling openly along the border and the Line of Control. When we  appear somewhere on the border, somewhere, we always stay in a  position where both sides can see that we are there. Everything is  visible.

We are observing what is happening on the border. This means that we  are not only looking at what the Azerbaijani side is doing; we are  also observing what the Armenian side is doing, because Brussels  wants to know from us what the situation at the border is like. They  do not want us to report only on what Azerbaijan is doing. So we are  observing both sides because we want to report to Brussels on the  situation and what is going on. Therefore, we always patrol openly.  We never hide somewhere or stay covered.

That's what we've been doing since the very beginning, and that's  what we are still doing now. This means it's very easy for the  Azerbaijani side to spot us and see where we are because we don't  want to hide. It is fine if they see that we are there. Even for the  patrols that we go on with escorts, we notify Baku a week in advance  through the office of the special representative. This means they  even know in advance where we are going. It is very, very open and  transparent, and we do not engage in any intelligence work. The  intentions behind why Baku is doing this, you have to ask Baku.

At least we are not convenient for either side because we bring an  international view into this conflict zone.  This means for both the  Armenian and Azerbaijani sides that they simply cannot start anything  without letting us, the international community, and especially  Brussels, know that something is happening.

In commenting on Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan's proposal to  remove the EU monitors from the already demarcated sections of the  border, Mr Ritter said:

At the end of last year, I had a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan, and we discussed this. It is not about removing us from  the border, but in the areas that are agreed upon, demarcated, and  clearly marked, there is no need for us to go directly to the border.  It is fine for us not to show up in the border zone anymore, but this  does not mean that we will not continue to visit villages and farms  to talk to people near the border. If the Armenian government and the  Azerbaijani side agree that we should not patrol directly in the  already clearly demarcated border areas, that is fine for us. 

As to his assessment of the current situation on the  Armenian-Azerbaijani border and any reasons for concern in terms of  security, Mr Ritter said. 

"What the patrols are seeing and reporting is that the situation on  the border is quite calm. There are no incidents at the moment. Both  sides are fortifying their positions. Both sides continue to be  prepared for the worst, which is obvious. But we are not seeing any  tension at the moment, and this has been the situation for a month,  we are confident that the region is on a good path. And we always  say: be prepared for the worst, but be ready for the best. So it  seems to us that both sides are following this advice." 

As to plans to make any changes in the EUMA size and structure the  near future, Mr Ritter said. 

No, the second mandate will have the same tasks as the first mandate.  This means, first, patrolling and reporting alongside the border and  the line of confrontation. The second task is our so-called human  security patrols to increase the feeling of safety and security for  the local population in the conflict-affected areas. And the third is  taking steps that contribute to building confidence.

Since December, we have been visiting schools in villages near the  border to talk to the children there, to the students, to explain to  them who we are, what we do, what the European Union is, and what the  European Union stands for. We want to increase this activity. We not  only want to visit schools in the future, but we also want to promote  our work, the European idea, and let everyone know that we are not  spying, conducting intelligence work, or anything else. We are a  civilian, unarmed mission that wants to help stabilize this region.