The presence of the European Union Monitoring Mission on the ground in Armenia has already contributed to the advancement of the peace agenda, ensuring more visible and concrete results. Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Armenia, stated this in his remarks at a security forum Wednesday.

He noted that the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia is aimed at strengthening regional peace and the agenda of normalizing relations by providing both political and human security practical support on the ground.

Also, Maragos considered Armenia's participation in the EU’s European Peace Facility an important achievement. According to him, the first event, within the framework of which purchases are being made for the Armenian armed forces, has already been agreed and completed.

The EU ambassador to Armenia noted that it is about non-lethal support, and emphasized that security is not limited only to the army or military equipment. This is a means of non-lethal support. But as the Armenian prime minister noted, security is not only about the army, and the army is not only about lethal equipment, because there are also things that are necessary for operational functionality: logistics and medical services, he said.

They are paying attention also to the reform of the security sector, with the National Security Council and other relevant bodies of Armenia. They need to assist also the EU by sharing their experience and have agreed to also ensure Armenia’s participation in security crisis management missions, which are sent to the EU. In other words, through this, Armenia will become a security provider also, Maragos said.

The EU ambassador to Armenia informed that the two parties have agreed also on Armenia’s participation in security crisis management missions being implemented by the EU. In his assessment, in this way Armenia not only receives support, but also becomes a participant in the security provision process.

This is exactly what real partnership is about: learning lessons together, pooling resources, and working together for peace and security, added Vassilis Maragos.