DISINFO: The EU mission in Armenia has intelligence collection purposes
SUMMARY
The EU mission is endowed with unlimited freedom of movement around the country and collecting information. This is dangerous. The mission has reconnaissance purposes; all the persons included in it are former and, perhaps, even current representatives of law enforcement agencies. They have complete freedom to collect information and no obligations. That is, we completely handed over all the information to intelligence and security agencies operating under the guise of an EU observer mission.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets attempting to discredit the EU mission in Armenia, accusing it of espionage.
The claim was made in the context of Armenia's ratification of the "Agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union on the status of the EU mission in Armenia" as well as 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.
See similar cases in our database: EU observers in Armenia are employees of Western intelligence services; The purpose of EU monitors in Armenia is to spy on Russian troops; EU mission to Armenia to monitor Russian and Iranian troops; Spying on Iran may be the main purpose of the EU monitors in Iran.