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On March 19, the Parliament debated the draft law on Ratifying the Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union on the status of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA). It is aimed at establishing peace and ensuring stability in the region through the deployment of the EU Civilian Mission in Armenia: The RA Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mnatsakan Safaryan said. According to him, the Agreement extends to the EU mission in our country and its staff and is valid only in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. The document regulates the activities of the EU mission in Armenia.

“The activity of the mission is highlighted not only from the viewpoint of ensuring the stability of the eastern borders of Armenia, but also from the viewpoint of the rapid processes of rapprochement of the EU-Armenia political relations,” the Deputy Minister underlined. According to him, the EU Mission in our country, including its components, divisions, headquarters and staff, will be considered by the competent institutions of the Republic of Armenia as a representation with diplomatic status in customs and tax matters.

The rapporteur noted that the Agreement also clarifies the functions of the RA bodies aimed at ensuring the normal operation of the EU Mission in Armenia, the procedures for crossing the border in Armenia, the privileges and immunity granted to the Mission, as well as other issues related to criminal jurisdiction, security, access to information.

“Back in 2022, based on the request of the Armenian side, the EU Council made an unprecedented urgent decision to deploy a EU Civilian Mission monitoring capacities on the interstate border of Armenia and Azerbaijan for a period of two months. The latter was deployed along the eastern border of Armenia from October 20 to December 19, 2022, significantly contributing to the relative stabilization of the border situation,” Mnatsakan Safaryan reminded and added, taking into consideration the security risks created for Armenia and the serious risk of a possible escalation of the situation on the country’s eastern borders, the Armenian side addressed the European Union, asking to extend the period of validity of the above-mentioned monitoring mission.

“Nevertheless, based on the fact that the composition of the Mission was formed from the members of the EU mission in Georgia, and with this composition it was possible to extend the validity of the mission for another two months, the EU side took the initiative to create a civilian monitoring mission exclusively for Armenia. The latter was not only welcomed by Armenia, but the Armenian side made large-scale efforts to get the support of all the EU member states in creating a long-term mission,” Mnatsakan Safaryan said.

The member of the NA Committee on European Integration Arsen Torosyan presented the endorsement of the Committee. According to him, the situation in the areas where the representatives of the EU Observation Mission are deployed is as stable as possible.

During the Q&A session and the exchange of ideas, the parliamentarians talked about the importance of the deployment of the EU Observation Mission in our country, the opposition MPs inquired about the provisions of the document, particularly the provisions regarding Armenia's rights, the possibility of changing the number of representatives of the EU mission and the possibility of Armenia rejecting the mission. The rapporteur informed that the Agreement can be changed or it can be terminated by written agreement of the parties.

In his speech on behalf of the NA Armenia Faction Seyran Ohanyan mentioned that the RA and the current authorities are responsible for the internal and external security of our country. According to the Head of the Faction, today’s authorities have failed especially in dealing with external threats, and the Azerbaijanis have appeared in our territories. In the rapporteur’s opinion, the legal basis of the presented document is not complete. It was noted that the Faction will abstain from the initiative.

Hayk Konjoryan presented the viewpoint of the NA Civil Contract Faction. Referring to the arguments of the opposition colleagues that the RA authorities have failed to ensure the security of our country because the Azerbaijani forces appeared in the territory of the RA, the Head of the Faction stated that these forces did not appear, but attacked.

Hayk Konjoryan expressed his satisfaction with the activities of the EU Mission in Armenia and pointed out that the deployment of the mission in Armenia significantly promoted the regional stability. “We will continue to support this mission,” the deputy underscored and informed that the Faction will vote for the draft.

The law was passed.