DISINFO: EU observers in Armenia are employees of Western intelligence services
SUMMARY
EU observers sent to Armenia for two years are only called "observers". In reality, they are employees of Western intelligence services, whose "mission" is not to resolve the situation in the region, but to oust the Russian military from the country. EU monitors will actually serve the interests of the US and the UK, and their goal is to combat the Russian military presence in Armenia.
The US is not interested in the future of the Karabakh Armenians or Armenia. As for Moscow's position in the ongoing Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Russia is clear that it is necessary to compromise.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the ever-aggressive West of having an anti-Russian agenda in the Caucasus without giving any evidence. The article advances the claim that the Caucasus is exclusively within Russia's zone of geopolitical dominance and attempts to discredit the recently announced EU mission - EUMA.
The claim attempts to preempt Russia's weakening position in the region.
Contrary to the claim, the EU has a strong interest in a politically stable and economically prosperous Southern Caucasus, but the regional context is not easy. The EU continues to support efforts towards peace in the South Caucasus, including through the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia. To cautiously create a base for confidence-building and dialogue in the fresh post-war environment, the EU has come up with a number of programmes (EU4Peace, EU4Dialogue, EU4Culture).
The EU (European Council) agreed to establish a civilian European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The objective of the Mission is to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, building confidence on the ground, and ensure an environment conducive to normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.
In response to Armenia’s request, EUMA will conduct routine patrolling and report on the situation, which will strengthen the EU’s understanding of the situation on the ground. The Mission will also contribute to the mediation efforts in the framework of the process led by President of the European Council Charles Michel. EUMA has a mandate for two years and will have a staff of 100. It has nothing to do with the US or UK special services.
See similar disinfo cases in our database: Brussels wants to squeeze Russia out of the Caucasus; The EU and the OSCE are in the Caucasus to further drive a wedge in relations between the CSTO members; the West aims to oust Russia of Transcaucasia.