COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/894

| Official Journal of the European Union | EN L series ---|---|--- * * * | 2026/894 | 22.4.2026 ---|---|--- COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/894 of 21 April 2026 on a European Union Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) 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: (1) | On 14 July 2025, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia to reaffirm and advance the growing partnership between the Union and Armenia. ---|--- (2) | On 2 December 2025, the EU-Armenia Partnership Council endorsed a new Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership. Building on the foundations of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, the Strategic Agenda marks a significant step forward in deepening relations in wide range of areas, including in the area of security and defence. ---|--- (3) | In a letter to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy dated 12 December 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia invited the Union to deploy a civilian mission in Armenia under the common security and defence policy (CSDP). ---|--- (4) | On 5 March 2026, the Political and Security Committee endorsed a Political Framework for Crisis Approach in the Republic of Armenia. ---|--- (5) | On 9 April 2026, the Council approved a Crisis Management Concept for a possible civilian CSDP mission in the Republic of Armenia. A CSDP mission should therefore be established. ---|--- (6) | The CSDP mission in the Republic of Armenia 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 on European Union, ---|--- HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Mission The Union hereby establishes a civilian European Union Partnership Mission in the Republic of Armenia (EUPM Armenia) under the common security and defence policy. Article 2 Mandate 1\. EUPM Armenia shall enhance the resilience of Armenia in the field of hybrid threats through the provision of strategic advice as well as operational level advice and support to relevant security sector agencies, in line with a whole-of-government approach and in close coordination with other like-minded actors. 2\. For that purpose, EUPM Armenia shall: (a) | assist the relevant ministries and agencies in enhancing resilience to hybrid threats by: | (i) | providing strategic advice on the development of strategies, policies and protocols for countering hybrid threats, notably foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and cyber, as well as illicit financial flows in the electoral and political context, and enhancing cybersecurity and FIMI resilience; ---|--- (ii) | supporting a whole-of-government approach and inter-institutional coordination by providing strategic advice on hybrid threats regarding structured coordination, by drafting joint threat assessments, and through a systematic engagement across relevant ministries and agencies that have mandates for various aspects of countering hybrid threats and for crisis management; ---|--- (iii) | identifying the need for capacity building in the security sector for monitoring, early warning, detection, identification, attribution of and response to hybrid threats, including in the areas of FIMI and cyber in line with Union methodologies and standards. ---|--- (b) | complement the aforementioned activities by providing operational level advice to relevant ministries and agencies in specific hybrid-related areas, and be supported by means of a project cell offering targeted operational support, in line with the Integrated Approach to External Conflicts and Crises and, as far as possible, in close coordination with other like-minded actors. ---|--- 3\. International humanitarian law, human rights and the principle of gender equality, the protection of civilians and the agendas under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security and 1612 (2005) on Children and Armed Conflict agendas shall be fully integrated and proactively mainstreamed in EUPM Armenia’s strategic and operational planning, activities and reporting. Article 3 Chain of command and structure 1\. EUPM Armenia shall have a unified chain of command as a crisis management operation under the political and strategic direction of the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and the overall authority of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’). 2\. EUPM Armenia shall have its Headquarters in Armenia. 3\. EUPM Armenia shall be structured in accordance with its planning documents. Article 4 Civilian Operation Commander 1\. The Managing Director of the Civilian Operations Headquarters (CivOpsHQ) shall be the Civilian Operation Commander for EUPM Armenia. The CivOpsHQ shall be at the disposal of the Civilian Operation Commander for the planning and conduct of EUPM ARMENIA. 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 EUPM Armenia at the strategic level. 3\. The Civilian Operation Commander shall ensure the proper and effective implementation of the decisions of the Council and of the PSC with regard to the conduct of operations, including by issuing instructions to the Head of Mission and providing him or her 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 (OPCON) 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 and the Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia shall consult each other as required. Article 5 Head of Mission 1\. The Head of Mission shall assume responsibility for EUPM Armenia and shall exercise command and control thereof, at theatre level. The Head of Mission shall be directly responsible to the Civilian Operation Commander and shall act in accordance with his or her instructions. 2\. The Head of Mission shall be the representative of EUPM Armenia in its area of responsibility. 3\. The Head of Mission shall exercise administrative and logistic responsibility for EUPM Armenia, including responsibility for the assets, resources and information which have been placed at the disposal of EUPM Armenia. The Head of Mission may delegate management tasks in staff and financial matters to staff members of EUPM Armenia, under his or her overall responsibility. 4\. The Head of Mission shall issue instructions for the effective conduct of EUPM Armenia in theatre, assuming its coordination and day-to-day management, following the instructions of the Civilian Operation Commander. 5\. The Head of Mission shall be responsible for disciplinary control over the staff of EUPM Armenia. For seconded staff, disciplinary action shall be exercised by the national authorities of the seconding State in accordance with national rules, by the Union institution concerned or by the EEAS, respectively. 6\. The Head of Mission shall, without prejudice to the chain of command, receive local political guidance from the Head of the Union Delegation to Armenia. Article 6 Staff 1\. EUPM Armenia shall consist primarily of staff seconded by Member States, by Union institutions or by the EEAS. Each Member State, each Union institution, and the EEAS shall bear the costs related to any of the staff seconded by it, including travel expenses to and from the place of deployment, salaries, medical coverage and allowances other than applicable daily allowances. 2\. The Member State, the Union institution, or the EEAS, respectively, shall be responsible for answering any claims linked to the secondment from or concerning the members of staff whom they have seconded, and for bringing any action against such persons. 3\. International and local staff may be recruited on a contractual basis by EUPM Armenia if the functions required cannot be provided by personnel seconded by Member States. Exceptionally, in duly justified cases, where no qualified applicants from Member States are available, nationals from participating third States may be recruited on a contractual basis, as appropriate. 4\. The conditions of employment and the rights and obligations of international and local staff shall be laid down in the contracts between EUPM Armenia and the staff member concerned. Article 7 Status of EUPM Armenia and of its staff The status of EUPM Armenia and its staff, including where appropriate the privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of EUPM Armenia, shall be the subject of an agreement concluded pursuant to Article 37 TEU and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Article 8 Political control and strategic direction 1\. The PSC shall exercise, under the responsibility of the Council and of the High Representative, political control and strategic direction of EUPM Armenia. The Council hereby authorises the PSC to take the relevant decisions for this purpose in accordance with the third paragraph of Article 38 TEU. This authorisation shall include the powers to appoint a Head of Mission, upon a proposal from the High Representative, and to amend the Operation Plan (OPLAN). The powers of decision with respect to the objectives and termination of EUPM Armenia shall remain vested in the Council. The decisions of the PSC regarding the appointment of the Head of Mission shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. 2\. The PSC shall report to the Council at regular intervals. 3\. The PSC shall receive, on a regular basis and as required, reports by the Civilian Operation Commander and the Head of Mission on issues within their areas of responsibility. Article 9 Participation of third States 1\. Without prejudice to the decision-making autonomy of the Union and its single institutional framework, third States may be invited to contribute to EUPM Armenia, provided that they bear the cost of the staff seconded by them, including salaries, all risk insurance cover, daily subsistence allowances and travel expenses to and from Armenia, and that they contribute to the running costs of EUPM Armenia, as appropriate. 2\. Third States contributing to EUPM Armenia shall have the same rights and obligations as Member States in terms of the day-to-day management of EUPM Armenia. 3\. The Council hereby authorises the PSC to take the relevant decisions on acceptance of the proposed contributions and to establish a Committee of Contributors. 4\. Detailed arrangements regarding the participation of third States shall be covered by agreements concluded in accordance with Article 37 TEU and additional technical arrangements as necessary. Where the Union and a third State conclude or have concluded an agreement establishing a framework for the participation of that third State in Union crisis-management operations, the provisions of that agreement shall apply in the context of EUPM Armenia. Article 10 Security 1\. The Civilian Operation Commander shall direct the Head of Mission’s planning of security measures and ensure their proper and effective implementation by EUPM Armenia in accordance with Article 4. 2\. The Head of Mission shall be responsible for the discharge of the duty of care in EUPM Armenia and for ensuring compliance with the requirements applicable to EUPM Armenia, in line with the Security and Duty of Care Policy for Civilian CSDP Missions, and its supporting instruments. 3\. The Head of Mission shall be assisted by a Mission Security Officer, who shall report to the Head of Mission and also maintain a close functional relationship with the EEAS. 4\. The Mission staff shall undergo mandatory security training before taking up their duties, in accordance with the OPLAN. They shall also receive regular in-theatre refresher training organised by the Mission Security Officer. 5\. The Head of Mission shall ensure the protection of EU classified information in accordance with Council Decision 2013/488/EU (1). Article 11 Watch-Keeping Capability The Watch-Keeping Capability shall be activated for EUPM Armenia. Article 12 Legal arrangements EUPM Armenia shall have the capacity to procure services and supplies, to enter into contracts and administrative arrangements, to employ staff, to hold bank accounts, to acquire and dispose of assets and to discharge its liabilities, and to be a party to legal proceedings, as required in order to implement this Decision. Article 13 Financial arrangements 1\. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUPM Armenia for the four months following the entry into force of this Decision shall be EUR 2 678 230,39. The financial reference amount for any subsequent period shall be decided by the Council. 2\. All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with the rules and procedures applicable to the general budget of the Union. Participation of natural and legal persons in the award of procurement contracts by EUPM Armenia shall be open without limitations. Moreover, no rule of origin for the goods purchased by EUPM Armeni shall apply. Subject to the Commission’s approval, EUPM Armenia may conclude technical arrangements with Member States, the host State, participating third States and other international actors regarding the provision of equipment, services and premises to EUPM Armenia. 3\. EUPM Armenia shall be responsible for the implementation of its budget. For this purpose, EUPM Armenia shall sign an agreement with the Commission. The financial arrangements shall respect the chain of command provided for in Articles 3, 4 and 5 and the operational requirements of EUPM Armenia. 4\. EUPM Armenia shall report fully to, and be supervised by, the Commission on the financial activities undertaken in the framework of the agreement referred to in paragraph 3. 5\. The expenditure related to EUPM Armenia shall be eligible as of the date of adoption of this Decision. Article 14 Project Cell 1\. EUPM Armenia shall have a Project Cell for identifying and implementing projects, in line with the strategic and operational advice provided in accordance with its mandate as set out in Article 2. EUPM Armenia shall, as appropriate, facilitate and provide advice on projects implemented by Member States and third States under their responsibility in areas related to EUPM Armenia and in support of its objectives. 2\. Subject to paragraph 3, EUPM Armenia shall be authorised to seek recourse to financial contributions from the Member States or from third States to implement projects identified as supplementing in a consistent manner EUPM Armenia’s other actions, if the projects are: (a) | provided for in the financial statement relating to this Decision; or ---|--- (b) | integrated during the mandate by means of an amendment to the financial statement requested by the Head of Mission. ---|--- EUPM Armenia shall conclude an arrangement with the contributing States, covering in particular the specific procedures for dealing with any complaint from third parties concerning damage caused as a result of acts or omissions by EUPM Armenia in the use of the funds provided by those States. Under no circumstances shall the contributing States hold the Union or the High Representative liable for acts or omissions by EUPM Armenia in the use of the funds provided by those States. 3\. Financial contributions from third States to the Project Cell shall be subject to acceptance by the PSC. Article 15 Consistency of the Union’s response and coordination 1\. The High Representative shall ensure the consistency of the implementation of this Decision with the Union’s external action as a whole, including the Union’s assistance programmes. 2\. Without prejudice to the chain of command, the Head of the Union Delegation to Armenia shall provide local political guidance to the Head of Mission. 3\. The Head of Mission shall ensure close coordination with representatives of Member States and international partners in the Republic of Armenia. Article 16 Release of information 1\. The High Representative shall be authorised to release to the third States associated with this Decision, as appropriate and in accordance with the needs of EUPM Armenia, EU classified information up to ‘CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL’ level generated for the purposes of EUPM Armenia, in accordance with Decision 2013/488/EU. 2\. In the event of a specific and immediate operational need, the High Representative shall also be authorised to release to the host State any EU classified information up to ‘RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED’ level which are generated for the purposes of EUPM Armenia, in accordance with Decision 2013/488/EU. Arrangements between the High Representative and the competent authorities of the host State shall be drawn up for this purpose. 3\. The High Representative shall be authorised to release to the third States associated with this Decision any EU non-classified documents connected with the deliberations of the Council relating to EUPM Armenia and covered by the obligation of professional secrecy pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Council’s Rules of Procedure (2). 4\. The High Representative may delegate the powers referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3, as well as the ability to conclude the arrangements referred to in paragraph 2 to persons placed under the High Representative’s authority, to the Civilian Operation Commander and to the Head of Mission, in accordance with Section VII of Annex VI to Decision 2013/488/EU. Article 17 Launch of EUPM Armenia 1\. EUPM Armenia shall be launched at the appropriate moment by a Council Decision after it has reached its initial operating capability, based on a recommendation by the Civilian Operation Commander of EUPM Armenia. 2\. The core team of EUPM Armenia shall make the necessary preparations to allow EUPM Armenia to reach its initial operating capability. Article 18 Entry into force and duration 1\. This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. 2\. It shall apply for a period of two years from the launch of EUPM Armenia. Done at Luxembourg, 21 April 2026. For the Council The President K. KALLAS * * * (1) Council Decision 2013/488/EU of 23 September 2013 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (OJ L 274, 15.10.2013, p. 1, ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2013/488/oj). (2) Council Decision 2009/937/EU of 1 December 2009 adopting the Council’s Rules of Procedure (OJ L 325, 11.12.2009, p. 35, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2009/937/oj). * * * ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/894/oj ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition) * * *