EU mission reports increasing patrolling activity in Armenian areas bordering Azerbaijan

YEREVAN. Sept 7 (Interfax) - The European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) has stepped up its monitoring activities in the Gegharkunik and Syunik regions in the eastern and southern parts of the country bordering Azerbaijan.

"The EU Mission in Armenia increased its patrolling activity [...] in border areas of Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces to observe any military developments," the mission said in a statement on its social media account.

"We aim to contribute to calming tensions and impartial reporting on the situation," it said.

Earlier on Thursday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the military and political situation in the region had become significantly more tense and urged the international community to take measures to prevent another outbreak of violence.

"The military and political situation in our region has escalated considerably. The reason is that Azerbaijan has been amassing forces along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and the border with Armenia in recent days. Anti-Armenian rhetoric has intensified. The policy of claims on Armenian sovereign territory continues," Pashinyan said at a government meeting on Thursday.

He also said the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh had reached its peak.

"Azerbaijan demonstrates the inclination towards another military provocation against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. They introduce theses which fall short of reality into their discourse. The international community and UN member states should take serious measures to prevent a new outbreak of conflict in our region," Pashinyan said.