EU launches partnership mission in Armenia to strengthen resilience against hybrid threats

The European Union has officially launched the EU Partnership Mission in Armenia (EUPM Armenia) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) to support the country's resilience against evolving hybrid threats.

According to a statement published by the Council of the European Union, the advisory civilian mission will assist the Armenian authorities in strengthening the country's resilience against hybrid threats and enhancing its ability to respond to evolving security challenges.

Earlier, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas announced that EU foreign ministers were expected to approve a new partnership mission for Armenia aimed at countering hybrid threats.

"We are also going to agree on a new Partnership Mission for Armenia to counter the hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference that the country is facing," Kallas said.

Formally established on April 21, 2026, the mission will support Armenia's capacity to address 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 Armenian national institutions while promoting a whole-of-government approach to addressing such threats.

In addition, the mission will provide practical operational advice and establish a dedicated project cell to implement targeted actions within its mandate in close cooperation with international partners.

The Council stressed that EUPM Armenia is a non-executive mission and will have no role in the decision-making processes of the Armenian authorities.

"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 in addressing cyber threats and disinformation and in 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," Kallas said.

The statement notes that the partnership mission was established at the request of the Armenian government and forms part of a broader EU approach combining short- and long-term assistance to strengthen Armenia's national security.

According to the Council, the mission reflects the EU's firm commitment to supporting Armenia's resilience and democratic institutions. By providing strategic advice, specialized expertise, and capacity-building, it will help Armenia better prevent, detect, and respond to hybrid threats while fully respecting the country's ownership and sovereignty.

The mission has an initial mandate of two years and will primarily consist of experts seconded by EU member states.

The mission will be headed by Cosmin George Dinescu, who was appointed Head of Mission on June 11, 2026. He previously served as the first Head of the EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova.

The Council also recalls that the EU-Armenia Partnership Council endorsed the new EU-Armenia Strategic Partnership Agenda on December 2, 2025. Building on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the agenda marks a significant step toward deepening bilateral relations, including in the fields of security and defence. One of its priorities is strengthening cooperation to counter hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference.

The statement further notes that, in a letter dated December 12, 2025, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan invited the European Union to deploy a civilian mission in Armenia under the Common Security and Defence Policy.

The Council underlined that EUPM Armenia is the second EU mission in the country, alongside the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA), which has been conducting patrols along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border since 2023.

It also stressed that the new partnership mission is separate from EUMA and has no connection with its activities.