DISINFO: EU, OSCE aim to drive a wedge in relations between CSTO allies
SUMMARY
The European Union and the OSCE are in the Caucasus to further drive a wedge in relations between the CSTO members. It has always been like this in history. They do not need stability and peace in the region. Western “mediation” leads to devastation they can later manage. By contrast, Russia's presence in the region is to provide real mediation.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the ever-aggressive West of having an anti-Russian agenda in the Caucasus. The statement was made in the context of the EU decision to deploy Monitors on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The article advances the claim that the Caucasus is exclusively within Russia's zone of geopolitical interests and attempts to discredit the recently announced EU mission.
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 an easy one. The EU continues to express its support to efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs towards a peaceful and comprehensive Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, 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 monitoring Capacity in Armenia is not directed against Russia, or any third country or organisation like CSTO.
The EU Monitoring Capacity in Armenia will report on ceasefire related developments on the Armenian side of the internationally recognised border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This will allow the EU to better support the work of the two parties’ border commissions. Based on the agreement by Armenia and Azerbaijan, the EU is closely involved in leading a peace process between both sides.
The EU Monitoring Capacity responds to the agreement reached at the quadrilateral meeting between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, French President Macron and President of the European Council Michel.
The decision to deploy the EU monitors on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was made after the September 2022 escalation, when Azerbaijan attacked sovereign Armenia and occupied Armenian territories.