Yerevan denies geopolitical context of EU mission's deployment to Armenia

YEREVAN. Feb 13 (Interfax) - The European Union mission to be deployed in Armenia for two years is civilian and does not target anyone, Artur Hovhannisyan, secretary of the ruling parliamentary faction Civil Contract, said at a press briefing on Monday.

"The civilian mission of the European Union does not target anyone. There is no geopolitical context, let alone a shift of the West-Russia confrontation to Armenia here. These are unfounded allegations," Hovhannisyan said.

According to him, Armenia is conducting a very active foreign policy with Russia, the West and Iran.

"We rely exclusively on the national interests of Armenia and do not think it's necessary to explain to anyone that the EU mission does not target any parties. This is a civilian mission. Thanks to its diplomatic efforts, Armenia has managed to agree with EU partners on sending the mission exclusively in Armenia's interests," Hovhannisyan said.

The EU foreign ministers have approved the two-year deployment of a civilian mission in Armenia to promote stability on the Armenian border. At Armenia's request, the mission will carry out scheduled patrols and submit situation reports to help the EU understand the situation on the ground and contribute to the mediating efforts of European Council President Charles Michel.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier that the deployment of the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia became possible owing to Europe's clarification of the Armenian territory and had no geopolitical context.