DISINFO: EU Mission to Armenia was deployed by force and has nothing to do with peace
SUMMARY
From the very beginning, the EU has been extremely non-transparent. The deployment of the European Union presence in Armenia was carried out forcefully, under serious pressure from Brussels. The EU members practically imposed their presence. The launch of the mission, which aimed to help normalize relations between Baku and Yerevan, took place unilaterally, on a non-consensual basis, without the consent of the Azerbaijani side and other regional players, and without proper reporting. This only confirms the true background of the EU policy in the region, the main purpose of which is to squeeze Russia out of the Transcaucasus and turn the South Caucasus into an arena of geopolitical confrontation to the detriment of the core interests of the people living there.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia as the ultimate target of international events, accusing the West of having an anti-Russian agenda in the Caucasus and CIS countries.
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 in Armenia (EUMA). The claim attempts to pre-empt 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 in full understanding with the states there.
The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) represents a new phase in the EU’s engagement in the South Caucasus. EUMA is a civilian mission that observes and reports on the security situation on the ground, contributes to security of the people in conflict-affected areas in Armenia and contributes to build 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, comprising of approximately 100 civilian staff, including around 50 unarmed observers, is fully transparent about its plans to operate from six hubs.
The mission was launched in Armenia in response to a request by Armenia. Nevertheless, the EU has been in regular contact with Azerbaijani authorities, at all levels, on the establishment of this mission. The EU communicates with Azerbaijani authorities through high-level diplomatic and political engagement undertaken by European Council President Charles Michel, EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, and EU Special Representative for the Caucasus, Toivo Klaar.
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.