Brussels: The European Union on Thursday adopted a decision to extend the 27-member bloc’s monitoring mission in Armenia until 2027. The Council of the EU announced that it had adopted a decision to prolong the mandate of the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) until February 19, 2027.

According to Anadolu Agency, a press release indicated that over £44 million ($45.9 million) has been allocated for the mission. The mission is described as an “essential component of the EU’s efforts in supporting peace and stability in the region,” with EUMA continuing as an unarmed civilian mission.

The Council of the EU originally established the mission in January 2023 to secure border areas of Armenia and to create an environment conducive to normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, supported by the EU. Relations between Baku and Yerevan have been strained since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, along with seven adjacent regions.

Most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan during a 44-day war in the fall of 2020, which concluded with a Russian-brokered peace agreement. This agreement paved the way for ongoing normalization and demarcation talks. In September 2023, Azerbaijan established full sovereignty in Karabakh after separatist forces in the region surrendered.