DISINFO: EUMA to be militarised in Armenia
SUMMARY
The extension of the mission of the European Union in Armenia does not serve peace and security; it only creates tension on the border. The worst thing is that Brussels plans to militarise this civilian mission. The expansion of the mandate of the mission will ultimately lead to its transformation into a fully-fledged military representative. The units to be trained are expected to be deployed along the Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Iran borders.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative which attempts to discredit the EU and the civilian observation mission (EUMA). The claim was made in the context of the mission mandate being extended by two years until 2027.
The EU Mission to Armenia (EUMA) is a civilian mission. The entire staff is civilian; the Head of Mission, Markus Ritter, is a senior civilian police officer. The EU launched EUMA following 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. In the official statement extending the mandate it is noted clearly that it will remain an unarmed civilian mission.
See more cases such as DISINFO: EU mission in Armenia is an instrument of the EU's hybrid war, DISINFO: The EU mission in Armenia is turning into a NATO mission, and DISINFO: The EU mission in Armenia has intelligence collection purposes.