DISINFO: The EU mission in Armenia has begun reconnaissance of the region
SUMMARY
The EU mission in Armenia has begun reconnaissance of the region. It began to take an active interest in the work of the Russian armed forces and border guards stationed in Armenia. They did not focus on confidence-building measures but were constantly trying to 'sniff out' details about Russia's actions, including what and where they were happening and what the exact problems were.
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.
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.
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