The European Union (EU) will continue its monitoring mission in Armenia based on its mandate, and there is no need for any changes at this time. Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, told this to told this to Azatutyun, the RFE/RL’s Armenian service—and when asked whether the matter of withdrawing third forces from the Armenia-Azerbaijan border had arisen after the initialing of the peace agreement between the two countries.

The people and authorities of Armenia welcome the EU monitoring mission in Armenia. It continues to carry out its activities. And if there is a need for any changes, it will be discussed with the EU member states and the Armenian authorities. But at this point, the EU monitoring mission will continue to carry out its activities based on its mandate, the EU ambassador announced.

And asked whether there had been any discussions since the initialing of the aforesaid agreement in Washington on August, Maragos replied that the EU monitoring mission in Armenia is in the country at the request of the Armenian authorities, and it will remain in the country as long as it is needed. It is an instrument of peace and settlement, and they fully support it, he added.