 | |
 Location of Armenia | |
| Formation | 21 October 2022 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 27 October 2022 |
Region |  Armenia |
Head | Robert Arkadiusz Tkaczyk |
Parent organization | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe |
AnOSCE Needs Assessment Team in Armenia was deployed by theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the territory ofArmenia between 21 and 27 October 2022 following theArmenia–Azerbaijan border crisis.[1]
On 18 October 2022,Foreign Minister of ArmeniaArarat Mirzoyan stated that the deployment ofOSCE observers in addition to 40European Union monitoring experts to theArmenia–Azerbaijan border from the Armenian side was under discussion.[2]
On 19 October 2022, the OSCE confirmed it would deploy a "needs assessment team" to Armenia between 21–27 October 2022, following a request made by theGovernment of Armenia. The team was composed of international experts and representatives of the OSCE Secretariat. The team assessed the situation in certain border areas and held consultations with international partners.[3]
On 20 October 2022, the EU confirmed that the OSCE mission is independent and non–related to the EU'smission. However, the EU's mission will liaise with all relevant international organizations, including the OSCE.[4]
On 22 October 2022, Foreign Minister of ArmeniaArarat Mirzoyan and representatives of theArmenian Armed Forces met with the OSCE needs assessment mission, headed by the representative of Poland in the OSCE, Colonel Robert Arkadiusz Tkaczyk. Mirzoyan expressed "hope that the mission's activities, observations and final report will be a source of objective information about the situation resulting from the Azerbaijani aggression".[5][6]
On 24 October 2022, the OSCE assessment mission visited theSyunik Province of Armenia.[7] The mission met with local representatives and visited communities affected byAzerbaijan's offensive.[8][9]
On 26 October 2022, the Secretary of theSecurity Council of Armenia,Armen Grigoryan met with the OSCE mission. During the meeting, Colonel Robert Arkadiusz Tkaczyk expressed confidence that the OSCE will continue to deepen cooperation with Armenia.[10]
On 27 October 2022, the OSCE mission met with Armenia'sDeputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan. The mission presented its work they carried out and damages they recorded from the conflict. In turn, Hovhannisyan highlighted the "engagement of the OSCE, as a pan-European security organization, in the prevention and settlement of conflicts".[11]
Armenia: Armenian Foreign MinisterArarat Mirzoyan expressed confidence that theOSCE Minsk Group would assist in promoting a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[12]
France: Former French ambassador to ArmeniaJonathan Lacôte stated, "This decision marks the result of the actions by the French Minister forEurope and Foreign Affairs,Catherine Colonna, after the armed attacks of Azerbaijan on the Armenian territory. The deployment of this OSCE mission will make an additional contribution to the respect of Armenia's security and territorial integrity."[13]
United States: TheUS mission to the OSCE stated, "The United States strongly supports the activation of the OSCE’s confidence-building and conflict prevention instruments, including the establishment of a needs assessment team on the territory of Armenia."[14]
Azerbaijan: The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan criticized the mission believing that it did not have an official mandate and that its reports should not be considered to be official OSCE documents.[15]
Russia: Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswomanMaria Zakharova stated, "These steps by the West threaten the balance that was achieved in difficult conditions through agreements between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia".[16]
Turkey: Turkish Foreign MinisterMevlut Cavusoglu denounced the "unacceptable" decision, saying it was against the OSCE's own operating rules.[16]
