"The opening once again highlights the importance of EUMA," said President of Armenia, Mr Khachaturyan at the inauguration of the EUMA Headquarters

01.11.2023 Press and information team of EUMA

Yeghegnadzor, 1 November 2023 - Today, Head of the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA), Dr Markus Ritter, together with the President of the Republic of Armenia, Mr Vahagn Khachaturyan, and Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, Mr Vassilis Maragos, inaugurated the new Headquarters of the EUMA in Yeghegnadzor. Following the official opening, EUMA held its first Medal Parade ceremony to thank to all the Mission Members for their dedicated service in the context of the European Union led crisis management operations.

I can now proudly say that - as planned, the Mission has now reached the Full Operational Capability. Dr Markus Ritter, Head of EUMA

The Mission, launched on 20 February 2023, marks one of the fastest deployments of the CSDP Mission in the EU’s history. “I am standing in front of our new Headquarters, with 93 Mission Members deployed from 23 EU Member States. While some challenges are yet to be tackled, I can now proudly say that - as planned, the Mission has now reached the Full Operational Capability,” said Dr Ritter. Mr Khachaturyan noted that “the opening of the Headquarters once again highlight[ed] the importance of [the Mission’s] work,” while appreciating the presence and the accomplishments of the Mission in Armenia. Mr Maragos also added that with its presence and patrolling, EUMA were largely contributing to one of the key EU’s objectives, which is building a sustainable peace in South Caucasus.

The opening of the Headquarters once again highlighted the importance of the Mission’s work.
Mr Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the Republic of Armenia

The Mission announced its Full Operational Capability, operating its patrols from six Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) - in Kapan, Goris, Jermuk, Yeghegnadzor, Martuni, and Ijevan -, covering the entire length of the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Last week, EUMA marked 1000 patrols since its deployment.

EUMA is a non-armed, civilian mission with the aim to observe and report to the EU on security situation on the ground. The mission is deployed on the Armenian side of the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Headquarters in Yeghegnadzor, six Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and a Support and Liaison office in Yerevan.