The Union hereby establishes a civilian European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) under the CSDP.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/162 of 23 January 2023 on a European Union mission in Armenia (EUMA)
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/162 of 23 January 2023 on a European Union mission in Armenia (EUMA)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 42(4) and 43(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
On 6 October 2022, on the occasion of the meeting of the European Political Community held in Prague, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan confirmed their commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and to the Declaration agreed in Alma Ata on 21 December 1991, in which both States recognised each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In a letter received by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’), the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia invited the Union to deploy a civilian Mission in Armenia under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
On 19 January 2023 the Council approved a Crisis Management Concept for a possible civilian CSDP Mission in Armenia. This Mission should therefore be established.
The Political and Security Committee (PSC) should exercise, under the responsibility of the Council and of the High Representative, political control over the CSDP mission in Armenia, provide it with strategic direction and take the relevant decisions in accordance with the third paragraph of Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).
It is necessary to negotiate and conclude international agreements relating to the status of Union-led units and personnel and to the participation of third States in the Mission.
The Mission will be conducted in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1 Mission
1.
2.
EUMA shall be part of the contribution by the Union, as an impartial and credible actor, in creating a safe and stable environment in conflict-affected areas in Armenia, within which improved human security and the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the ground will allow for further progress towards a potential peace agreement.
Article 2 Mandate
1.
The strategic objective of EUMA shall be to contribute to decreasing the number of incidents in conflict-affected and border areas in Armenia, to reduce the level of risks for the population living in such areas and thereby to contribute to the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the ground.
2.
For that purpose, the Mission shall contribute to confidence-building between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in ways that uphold its credibility as an impartial actor, by:
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observing through the conduct of routine patrolling and reporting on the situation on the ground and any conflict-related incidents in order to ensure detailed awareness of the security situation;
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contributing to human security in conflict-affected areas, inter alia by gathering information through ad hoc patrolling and reporting on situations where, due to direct or indirect consequences of the conflict, life and basic human rights are endangered;
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based on its activities under subparagraphs (a) and (b) and through its permanent and visible presence on the ground, contributing to building confidence between the populations of Armenia and Azerbaijan and, where possible, between the authorities of those countries, in support of peace and stability in the region.
3.
International humanitarian law, human rights and the principle of gender equality, the protection of civilians and the agendas under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, UNSCR 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security and UNSCR 1612 (2005) on Children and Armed Conflict agendas shall be fully integrated and proactively mainstreamed in the Mission’s strategic and operational planning, activities and reporting.
Article 3 Chain of command and structure
1.
The Mission shall have a unified chain of command as a crisis management operation.
2.
The Mission shall have its headquarters in Armenia.
3.
The Mission shall be structured in accordance with its planning documents.
Article 4 Civilian Operation Commander
1.
The Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) Managing Director shall be the Civilian Operation Commander for the Mission. The CPCC shall be at the disposal of the Civilian Operation Commander for the planning and conduct of the Mission.
2.
The Civilian Operation Commander, under the political control and strategic direction of the PSC and overall authority of the High Representative, shall exercise command and control of the Mission at the strategic level.
3.
The Civilian Operation Commander shall ensure the proper and effective implementation of the decisions of the Council and the PSC with regard to the conduct of operations, including by issuing instructions at the strategic level to the Head of Mission as required and by providing him or her with advice and technical support.
4.
The Civilian Operation Commander shall report to the Council through the High Representative.
5.
All seconded staff shall remain under the full command of the national authorities of the seconding State in accordance with national rules, of the Union institution concerned or of the European External Action Service (EEAS), respectively. Those authorities shall transfer Operational Control of their staff to the Civilian Operation Commander.
6.
The Civilian Operation Commander shall have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Union’s duty of care is properly discharged.
7.
The Civilian Operation Commander, the Heads of the EU Delegations to Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia (the ‘EUSR’) shall consult each other as required.