Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Galuzin discussed the situation in South Caucasus with EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar on Tuesday, February 21.
According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Galuzin noted that the decision of Brussels to deploy a mission in Armenia does not contribute to a settlement in the region and has a distinct geopolitical background.
"When discussing the topic of the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Mikhail Galuzin noted that the decision of Brussels to deploy the so-called EU civilian mission in Armenia has a distinct geopolitical background that does not contribute to real stabilization in the Transcaucasus. The lack of consensus on this initiative between Baku and Yerevan was emphasized,” the Ministry said.
On Monday, the European Union launched a civilian mission in Armenia, which is tasked to promote settlement of the situation with Azerbaijan. The mission’s two-year mandate envisages patrolling and reporting about the situation to Brussels to raise its awareness of the situation on the ground. According to experts in Brussels, the mission is ultimately geared to enhance the European Union’s influence in the South Caucasus amid its confrontation with Russia.
