TORONTO—The Council of the European Union has approved Canada’s request to join the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA). This decision was welcomed by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC).
Armenia’s MFA expressed its appreciation for Canada’s initiative to participate in the European Civilian Mission in Armenia, acknowledging the importance of this step in enhancing stability in the region. “We welcome Canada’s initiative to become part of the European Mission in Armenia and view it as an important contribution for the Mission’s role in enhancing stability and peace in the South Caucasus region,” the MFA said in a tweet.
The ANCC, a prominent advocacy organization in Canada, also celebrated the approval, hailing it as a crucial move to strengthen Canada’s growing involvement in Armenia. The organization has long supported the proposal and is now optimistic about the contributions Canada can make to bolster Armenia’s safety, security, and territorial integrity.
“The Council of the European Union has approved Canada’s request to join the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA). We have long endorsed this proposal, and therefore, we welcome this as an important step in strengthening Canada’s growing involvement in Armenia,” the ANCC said in a statement.
The ANCC also emphasized the significance of Canada’s role in containing Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia and Artsakh while highlighting the equal importance of safeguarding Armenia’s territorial integrity and Artsakh’s right to self-determination. The ANCC called on Canada to remain vigilant and actively contribute to finding a fair and lasting solution to the conflict through its participation in EUMA.
The EU Mission in Armenia operates as a non-executive, non-armed civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Mission, focusing on observing and reporting on the security situation along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan. Additionally, EUMA aims to contribute to human security in conflict-affected areas within Armenia and foster confidence-building measures between Armenia and Azerbaijan.