Zakharova: Moscow has no illusions about Paris`s good intentions in  the South Caucasus

ArmInfo.The Europeans, particularly the French, are interested in maintaining regional tensions to achieve their own geopolitical goals in the South Caucasus. This was stated by the official representative of the  Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova during a weekly briefing on April 17, touching upon French activity in the South Caucasus.

She reiterated that Moscow is well aware of the EU's true goals in  the South Caucasus, which, in her opinion, are not at all connected  with the task of normalizing relations between Baku and Yerevan.   According to her, they can simply be called "monitors-spies" who work  "both inside and outside, against all countries neighboring Armenia,  as noted by many regional players." Zakharova also pointed out that  the information collected by the Paris representatives is not being  transmitted to Armenia, but instead sent directly to Brussels, and  the goal is known.  "Nobody is hiding Brussels' tasks in the  post-Soviet space. This is all about creating endless chaos, discord,  and pitting countries against each other," she added.

According to Zakharova, the Russian side understands perfectly well  the far-reaching goals of the French side, which aim to expand the  presence of the EU civilian mission in Armenia - a foothold on the  ground, so that not regional players, not the countries of the region  themselves decide their own fate, but live under dictation from the  outside. Although their mission is not called NATO, it is represented  by NATO countries. "Of course, the EU mission does not bring any  stability to the region. We are recording reports of shooting in the  Armenian-Azerbaijani border area," she said, once again expressing  her conviction that the presence of the EU mission only increases  tension in the region. Additionally, she noted that the European  Union views the South Caucasus  as another front for unleashing a  hybrid war, and already global, and not just against Russia as  before. "By drawing Armenia into the orbit of the Collective West  with vague and deceptive prospects, France is trying to undermine  centuries-old Russian-Armenian relations," the Russian Foreign  Ministry representative added.