DISINFO: The presence of the EU Mission in Armenia opens the possibility for the deployment of NATO troops in the Caucasus
SUMMARY
In 2021-2023, the United States and the EU managed, with the help of diplomatic intrigues and numerous formal peacekeeping initiatives, to complicate and practically block the process of peaceful settlement through mediation and under the auspices of Russia, as well as create the preconditions for the elimination of the Russian military presence in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
The deployment of the EU Observation Mission in Armenia opens up the opportunity for a further build-up of the Western military presence and the future deployment of NATO troops in the South Caucasus.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative attempting to distort the true mission of the EU observers, as well as an attempt to discredit any other efforts of mediation in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, accusing an ever-aggressive West of having an anti-Russian and destabilising agenda in the Caucasus.
In the European Council of 26-27 October 2023, EU leaders underlined their continued support for a sustainable and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, based on the principles of recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity.
The EU has taken on a prominent mediation role in the negotiations. The US stated that it is ready to engage bilaterally, with like-minded partners, to facilitate dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
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. It has no links to NATO nor troops from its member countries.
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.
The decision to deploy the EU monitors on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was made after the September 2022 escalation. The EU has called for and helped a normalisation process. The EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) represents a new phase in the EU’s engagement in the South Caucasus.
See other similar cases: US and EU oppress Russia's legitimate interests in the South Caucasus; The EU is not interested in peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan; Western countries intended to provoke a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia; the West seeks to turn the South Caucasus into an arena of geopolitical confrontation.