EU strengthening ties with Armenia by sending experts to counter Russian interference, The Guardian writes
The EU is sending a team of experts specialized in combating Russian propaganda and interference to Armenia, as it increases its support to the former Soviet republic in a tense political period, The Guardian writes.
The publication notes that the EU has been deepening links with Armenia as Russian influence has waned due to the war in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Armenia’s prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, and the EU leaders, Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, are expected to formally welcome the concept of an EU mission to counter foreign interference in Armenia at the summit in Yerevan, where they will also discuss energy, transport and economic support.
According to the publication, the EU is setting up a team of 20-30 civilian experts for a two-year mission based in Armenia aimed at improving the response to Russian cyber-attacks, information manipulation and interference, as well as countering illicit financial flows.
Separately, the EU’s foreign service has announced “a hybrid rapid-response team” with the short-term goal of battling foreign interference before the June 7 elections, which are seen as pivotal in determining whether Armenia stays on a broadly pro-western path.
A senior EU official described the EU-Armenia summit as a “critical milestone in our relationship.”
Armenia was long Russia’s staunchest ally in the Caucasus, but disillusionment set in after Moscow failed to send military aid during the 2020 and 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh wars.
Even before signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, Armenia had been seeking to move closer to the EU. But Armenia is under heavy pressure from Russia, still a significant trading and security partner. Moscow has imposed restrictions on the sale of imported Armenian mineral water and cognac, which recalls similar attempts to use economic leverage over its neighbors. Vladimir Putin has also warned Pashinyan that cheap Russian gas supplies are at stake if Armenia pursues deeper integration with Europe.
The French centrist MEP Nathalie Loiseau said: “Faced with all those seeking to pressure Armenian voters, the country is looking to the European Union to help it hold free and fair elections.”
