Netherlands warns Armenia of risk of Russian disinformation campaign

Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Caspar Veldkamp, visiting Yerevan on Wednesday, warned that Armenia could be targeted by Russian disinformation campaigns that could influence the upcoming parliamentary election.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan, the Dutch FM said that such campaigns have already been used in Moldova and Georgia.

“We have raised our concerns regarding disinformation, elections, that took place in Moldova and Georgia. We see Russian disinformation campaigns here. There is a risk that Armenia will be targeted in the future, with an aim to damage its relations with Ukraine and other countries, as well as incite tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Veldkamp said.

He added that the Netherlands is ready to provide information security support to Armenia in combating cyber-threats.

“We are ready to cooperate with Armenia in this area too, especially in context of the next parliamentary election,” the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands said.