EU Mission in Armenia started operating in Tavush region, with the last operating base to be opened in October.

12 September 2023 - Today marked the inauguration of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ijevan, the fifth FOB out of total six. Head of the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) Markus Ritter, together with Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, Deputy Defence Minister Hrachya Sargsyan, and Governor of Tavush Province Hayk Ghalumyan cut the ribbon to the new EUMA premises in Tavush Province.

“Until now, Tavush region was administered by FOB Martuni. Having FOB directly in Ijevan will allow us to dispatch more patrols to those areas which we deem important for us to be present more regularly and to reach people from the most remote border areas,” said Mr Ritter in his inauguration speech.

Having FOB in Ijevan will allow us [...] to reach people from the most remote border areas,” Mr Ritter at the inauguration

Mr Maragos highlighted the shared objective of all the EU institutions present in Armenia being the investment in stability and peace building in the country and the region. Mr Ghalumyan appreciated the presence of the EU Mission not only in the entire Armenia but particularly in Tavush region.

EUMA now operates from five out of planned six operating bases in Martuni, Ijevan, Jermuk, Goris and Kapan. The last FOB, located in Yeghegnadzor, will start operating in mid-October and will cover the border areas between Armenia and the Azerbaijani exclave Nakhichevan from Ararat and Vayots Dzor regions.

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, planned six Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and a Support and Liaison office in Yerevan.

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