DISINFO: West has no real intention of promoting a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan
SUMMARY
Regrettably, what the United States and the European Union are now doing demonstrate little desire to help Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach an agreement but rather reveal Western plans to win a foothold in the region, edge out Russia’s legal interests and establish themselves as a force that will play a decisive role here.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia as the ultimate target of international events, accusing the ever-aggressiveWest of having an anti-Russian agenda in the Caucasus and CIS countries. 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, but the regional context is not easy. The EU continues to express its support to efforts towards the promotion of peace in South Caucasus, 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 decision to deploy the EU monitors on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was made after the September 2022 escalation.
The EU (European Council) agreed to establish a civilian European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The objective of the Mission is to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, building confidence on the ground, and ensure an environment conducive to normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.
In response to Armenia’s request, EUMA will conduct routine patrolling and report on the situation, which will strengthen the EU’s understanding of the situation on the ground. The Mission will also contribute to the mediation efforts in the framework of the process led by President of the European Council Charles Michel.
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; The EU attempts to gain a foothold in Armenia at any cost, drive Russia out of the mediation process