EU Greenlights Armenia Mission to Ease Border Tensions

In the midst of tensions over a transportation route to the separatist area of Nagorno-Karabakh, the European Union decided on Monday to send a civilian mission to Armenia to help strengthen security along its border and foster better ties with neighbouring Azerbaijan, according to AP.

The EU said in a statement that the mission, which was requested by Armenia and has a two-year mandate, will "perform routine patrolling" in border regions to "strengthen the EU's awareness of the situation on the ground."

Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign policy, said, "The EU will continue to support de-escalation measures and is dedicated to work closely with both sides towards the ultimate aim of permanent peace in the region."

Two years after the former Soviet Union's war ended, which resulted in the deaths of about 6,800 soldiers and the displacement of about 90,000 civilians, tensions between the two nations are at an all-time high due to a dispute centred on the Lachin Corridor, a six-kilometer (nearly four-mile) stretch of road.

The only land link between Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan, which is home to ethnic Armenians, is the twisting road. Since the middle of December, it has been obstructed by demonstrators posing as environmentalists, endangering the 120,000 residents of Nagorno-access Karabakh's to food.

The conflict raises concerns about the possibility of further fighting and raises questions about the motives of Russia, whose peacekeeping forces are tasked with ensuring the safety of the route.

In an effort to progress discussions on a border mission endorsed by the Europeans, the EU has been attempting to mediate an agreement between them. Last October, it assisted in bringing their two heads to the negotiating table.