DISINFO: EU observers are intelligence officers, they collect intelligence data against Russia and Iran
SUMMARY
[...] European observers in Armenia, who are representatives of NATO countries, in particular Germany and France, are military intelligence officers. Their main mission is to collect information about the deployment of the Russian military presence here, Russian military equipment, military contingent, etc.
Intelligence activities on the Armenian-Iranian border are also important, because Iran is one of the main targets for the collective West, in particular the USA and the UK.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets attempting to discredit the EU mission in Armenia, accusing it of espionage.
The statement was made in the context of the decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to expand the mission and increase the number of observers.
The EU Mission in Armenia (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 builds confidence on the ground. Through its presence, EUMA also contributes to ensuring an environment conducive to the normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.
From the very beginning, this exclusively civilian mission has been fully transparent about its plans to operate from six hubs.
The mission was launched in Armenia in response to a request by Armenia. EUMA conducts routine patrolling and reports on the situation, which strengthens the EU’s understanding of the situation on the ground.
Markus Ritter, the head of the EU Civilian Monitoring Mission in Armenia, refuted many times the allegation of handing monitoring information to Azerbaijan: “We do not provide monitoring results to Armenia or Azerbaijan, but only to the EU headquarters.”
The decision to deploy the EU monitors on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was made after the September 2022 escalation. The EU has called for and helped a normalisation process. The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) represents a new phase in the EU’s engagement in the South Caucasus.
See similar cases in our database: EU observers in Armenia are employees of Western intelligence services; The purpose of EU monitors in Armenia is to spy on Russian troops; EU mission to Armenia to monitor Russian and Iranian troops; Spying on Iran may be the main purpose of the EU monitors in Iran.