DISINFO: EU Mission spies on behalf of the Armenian army
SUMMARY
According to Ritter, EUMA conducts large-scale investigations along the border, collects facts and sends relevant reports to Brussels - to political decision-makers, so that EU representatives can draw agreed conclusions and have a clear picture of the situation on the border. “These reports are not presented to the parties,” Ritter says, again telling a white lie. Because EUMA does nothing more than transfer the incomplete information it collects to the Armenian army.
RESPONSE
A disinformation narrative which promoting anti-EU feeling. The piece baselessly accuses the EUMA of espionage. It was published in the context of the statements made by the EUMA Head of Mission, Markus Ritter.
Although the claims have been repeatedly debunked, pro-Kremlin outlets still insist on promoting the claims. EUMA is a civilian mission that observes and reports on the security situation on the ground, contributes to the security of the people in conflict-affected areas in Armenia and contributes to building confidence on the ground. Through its presence, the EUMA also contributes to ensuring an environment conducive to the normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, supported by the EU. The entire staff is civilian; the Head of Mission, Markus Ritter, is a senior civilian police officer.
The EU launched EUMA in response to an official request from the Armenian authorities for a comprehensive EU civilian mission in December 2022. It has 209 staff members on the ground. EUMA’s role is to enhance human security and foster confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is a crucial part of the EU’s initiative to promote peace and stability in the region.
See our article examining pro-Kremlin claims during the first year of EUMA.
Additionally, the piece falsely claims that the EU has no other mission like the one in Armenia. Regarding other EU missions, the EU has civilian missions in Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, and other countries. The EUMA is not only a mission carried out by the EU.
See more cases such as The EU openly abuses relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan through EUMA, EU mission in Armenia is collecting intelligence against Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia and The EU mission in Armenia is anti-Azerbaijani, anti-Russian and anti-Iranian.