If we make progress, sign and ratify the agreement with Azerbaijan, and there are indeed signs of stable peace, of course, we can discuss a new mandate for EU observers, not necessarily limited to the border line. Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan said during a briefing with journalists at the National Assembly today, March 24.

“There is also a mandate there to create confidence-building measures between Yerevan and Baku, as well as to develop capacities in different regions. I think that even in the most positive scenario in the future, we will be able to find the right model to continue working with European observers,” he said.

Asked whether Yerevan is confident that Baku will not demand their complete removal from Armenia, Paruyr Hovhannisyan said, “You know, we can't be completely sure of anything now, but if we talk about outside forces, are the European observers a force? They are an observation mission. In other words, logic suggests that there should be no such claims, but of course it's very difficult to say for sure.

When we say force, yes, we usually mean military presence. Now, the extent to which that can be considered force is a matter of debate.

As the Foreign Minister said, in the case of peace, it is natural that there will be no force presence or observation mission and it may not even be necessary.”

Speaking about the extent to which Armenia can sign the agreement unilaterally, the Deputy Foreign Minister explained: “The Prime Minister in his last interview very clearly stated that he speaks about his readiness, there was no talk about unilateral signing.”