EUMA celebrates its Third Anniversary with an official ceremony in Yeghegnadzor

On 13 February 2026, European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) celebrated its Third Anniversary.

The event was attended by the Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan and other Armenian high-level officials.

EUMA

On the EU side, the Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, EU Member States Ambassadors and other representatives attended the event. 

EUMA

To date, EUMA has conducted 7771 patrols. Currently the Mission has 210 international and national mission members from 25 Member States and Canada. 

The event was combined with the farewell of the Head of Mission Dr. Markus Ritter. 

Head of Mission Dr. Markus Ritter said: 

“In the past three years EUMA has contributed to a more stable security situation on the ground. The local population feels more secure and safer due to our presence. We are patrolling around-the-clock along the border. Personally, I am happy to see that the situation has been improved and the incidents at the border have significantly decreased. The Mission is greeted positively wherever it goes.

Lately The Mission has increased its outreach activities among local authorities, municipalities and schools. It’s been heartwarming to see how the teachers and students have welcomed the mission members with open arms. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, expressed to me his sincere gratitude for the Mission’s efforts to communicate European values to the students. The Young people of Armenia have shown us that they hold these same values.

This week I also met with the President of Armenia Mr. Vahagn Khachaturyan who stated that the Mission has brought peace and stability to the border areas and people feel more safe and secure.”

EUMA

EUMA was established on 20 February 2023 by the request of the Armenian government. EUMA is a civilian and unarmed mission operating as an impartial actor on the Armenian side of the border with Azerbaijan. 

The main tasks of the Mission are:

• To observe and report on the security situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

• To contribute to the sense of security among local population, especially in the border areas.

• To help building trust between conflict affected people.

EUMA operates from six different locations: Goris, Ijevan, Jermuk, Kapan, Martuni and Yeghegnadzor. The Mission also has a Liaison and Support Office in Yerevan.

For more information: www.eum-armenia.eu