The European Union’s monitoring mission in Armenia welcomed the arrival of a representative from Canada, who joined the effort on Tuesday.
“Thrilled to welcome the first Canadian Expert Alexander Grushevskiy to the EUMA. Canada is the first Third Contributing State supporting the Mission,” the mission wrote in a post on the social media site X, thanking Canada for its “valuable cooperation.”
Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly welcomed and applauded Grushevskiy upon his joining the EU mission.
“Returning from my trip last year, a key priority was to explore ways to ensure stability and security in the South Caucasus, including the respect of the territorial integrity of Armenia. We welcome the news of Alexander Grushevskiy as our first Canadian expert to EUMA,” Joly said in a post on X, referring to her visit to Armenia in July 2023.
It was then that she pledged Canada’s willingness to take part in the EU mission, after having an opportunity to visit the monitoring efforts. At the time, official Yerevan welcomed the commitment, saying it “highly appreciates Canada’s contribution and presence in Armenia for the sake of peace and stability in the region.”
Canada has become the first non-EU country to join the mission.
In February, the EU decided to expand the mission from 138 observers to 209. Last month the Armenian parliament ratified an agreement with the EU on the status of its border-monitoring mission in Armenia, essentially granting diplomatic immunity to EUMA members.
On a related matter, the head of the EU mission, Markus Ritter, met with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin on Tuesday.
According to a statement from Etchmiadzon, Karekin II expressed his concern regarding the current tension and the security of the people in the border settlements, emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s encroachments and demands pose new security challenges for Armenia, and also endanger the peace negotiation process.
Ritter reportedly briefed the pontiff about the activities of the observation mission and the border situation, assuring that the mission will do everything possible to contribute to reducing border tensions and establishing stability in the border regions of Armenia.
