There is an agreement that the European Union civilian monitoring mission in Armenia (EUMA) will continue its work, continue border patrols, and report on developments until not only the signing but also the ratification of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. There have been no other discussions yet. Markus Ritter, the head of EUMA, who is completing his mission in Armenia, told this to a press conference Friday.

Ritter was asked whether the continuation of this monitoring mission in Armenia had been discussed with the Armenian government, or whether the mission would be implemented in a modified format.

He added that the matter of the future of EUMA had not been discussed with the Armenian government, including the question of whether the monitors would remain in Armenia after the ratification of the peace agreement.

In response to the question of whether EUMA will be included in the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project after the ratification of the peace agreement, Ritter noted that he cannot speak about possible options and this has not been discussed with him. After the summer, the European Union will discuss future plans with the Armenian government, but this matter had not been discussed yet.

Ritter said that when he had arrived in Armenia, there was serious tension along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and there were skirmishes and even casualties among soldiers.

It was quite a difficult time. At that time, the population living near the border was afraid of a new and open conflict in the near future. But this did not happen, Ritter added and noted that he can say that EUMA was effective. Now the situation is calm, and this gives both sides time and opportunity to talk to each other and try to resolve the remaining issues, he said.

EUMA initially consisted of 40 people, but now it consists of 210. They were received quite well and have established good cooperation with the local authorities, Ritter added and expressed a view that EUMA was successful, and this is a success story not only for him personally, but also for Armenia.