Baku: EU-Armenia document revives elements of former conflict despite positive progress achieved in post-conflict normalization. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed concerns regarding the Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the ministry’s statement highlights that Article 7 of the initialed draft agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia requires that no third party’s forces be deployed along their shared border. However, the decision to maintain and fully operationalize the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA) has led to significant apprehension. The ministry argues that EUMA has been used as a propaganda tool against Azerbaijan, and its continuation contradicts the agreement’s intent.
The ministry also criticizes the agenda’s focus on military and defense priorities, suggesting that it promotes Armenia’s militarization. These elements, it contends, revive aspects of the former conflict, undermining the positive progress made in post-conflict normalization since August 8. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for Armenia and the EU to take concrete steps to remove these provisions, which it believes do not align with current realities. Azerbaijan remains committed to monitoring the situation and drawing necessary conclusions.