EU announces launch of partnership mission to support Armenia`s  resilience against evolving hybrid threats

ArmInfo.. On July 13, the EU Council launched the EU Partnership Mission to Armenia (EUPM Armenia) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

A statement on the European Commission's website notes that the aim  of this advisory civilian mission is to support the Armenian  authorities in enhancing the country's resilience against hybrid  threats and ability to address evolving security challenges. 

"Formally established on 21 April 2026, the mission will support  Armenia's capacity to address such hybrid challenges, including cyber  threats, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI),  and illicit financial flows. Specifically, the mission will provide  strategic advice, technical expertise, and institutional capacity  building to various  national institutions in Armenia to address such  threats, and will support a horizontal, whole-of-government  approach," the statement continues.

Furthermore, it emphasizes that "the mission will provide practical,  operational advice and establish a dedicated project cell to  implement the targeted actions covered by its mandate, in close  cooperation with international partners."

"EUPM Armenia is a non-executive mission and will have no role in the  decision-making processes of the Armenian authorities," the statement  reads.

" Last week, the EU unveiled a major economic and political support  package for Armenia to help counter Russian pressure. Today, we  deploy a new EU mission on the ground. EU experts will support the  Armenian authorities deal with cyber threats and disinformation and  countering illicit financial flows. The EU is the biggest champion of  a resilient, independent Armenia and the right of the Armenian people  to choose their own destiny. We'll make sure Armenia does not face  external coercion alone," said EU High Representative for Foreign  Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas in this regard.

It is also worth noting that EUPM Armenia was established at the  request of the Armenian government and is part of a broader and  coherent EU approach, combining short and longer-term support to help  strengthen Armenian national security. It reflects the EU's firm  commitment to support the country's resilience and democratic  institutions. By providing strategic advice, specialized expertise  and capacity-building, the mission will help Armenia better prevent,  detect and respond to hybrid threats, while fully respecting the  country's ownership and sovereignty.

The mission will have an initial mandate of two years and will  primarily be composed of seconded experts from EU member states.  Cosmin George Dinescu was appointed Head of Mission on 11 June 2026.   Previously, he served as the first head of the EU Partnership Mission  in the Republic of Moldova.

On 2 December 2025, the EU-Armenia Partnership Council endorsed a new  Strategic Agenda for the EU- Armenia Partnership. Building on the  foundations of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership  Agreement, the Strategic Agenda marks a significant step forward in  deepening relations in wide range of areas, including in the area of  security and defence. One of its priorities is strengthening  cooperation on countering hybrid threats and foreign information  manipulation and interference.  In a letter to the High  Representative dated 12 December 2025, the Minister of Foreign  Affairs of the Republic of Armenia invited the Union to deploy a  civilian mission in Armenia under the EU CSDP. The mission was  formally established on 21 April 2026.  EUPM is the second civilian  CSDP mission to Armenia. It is distinct and separate from the EU  Mission in Armenia (EUMA) established in 2023, which is tasked with  observing and reporting on the situation on the ground, contributing  to confidence building and human security.