The Council of the European Union has approved the deployment of a new Partnership Mission in Armenia under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), aimed at helping the country counter hybrid threats and strengthen its security resilience.

The civilian advisory mission, formally established on April 21, 2026, will support Armenian authorities in addressing cyber threats, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), as well as the monitoring of illicit financial flows, Armenpress reported.

EU officials stressed that the new mission is entirely separate from the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMA) already operating in Armenia and has no connection with its activities.

Under its mandate, the mission will provide strategic advice, technical expertise and institutional capacity-building to Armenian state institutions to improve their ability to prevent and respond to hybrid threats.

It will also deliver operational guidance and establish a dedicated project cell to implement targeted initiatives in close cooperation with international partners.

The EU said the mission will have a non-executive role and will not participate in decision-making by Armenian authorities.

“Last week, the EU presented a major package of economic and political support for Armenia to help it withstand pressure from Russia. Today, we are deploying a new EU mission on the ground. EU experts will assist the Armenian authorities in tackling cyber threats, disinformation and illicit financial flows. The EU is the strongest supporter of a resilient, independent Armenia and of the Armenian people's right to choose their own future. We will make sure Armenia does not face external coercion alone,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said.

According to the statement, the mission was created at the request of the Armenian government and forms part of the EU's broader long-term approach to strengthening the country's national security and democratic institutions.

By providing strategic guidance, specialized expertise and institutional support, the mission is expected to help Armenia better prevent, detect and respond to hybrid threats while fully respecting the country's sovereignty.

The initial mandate will last two years, with the mission composed primarily of experts seconded by EU member states.

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

The EU also recalled that on December 2, 2025, the EU-Armenia Partnership Council endorsed a new strategic agenda aimed at deepening bilateral relations, including cooperation in security and defence. Strengthening cooperation against hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation was identified as one of its priorities.

The statement further noted that Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan formally invited the EU to deploy the civilian mission in a letter sent to the High Representative on December 12, 2025.

The Council emphasized that this is the EU's second mission in Armenia, alongside the EU Monitoring Mission, which has been patrolling the Armenia-Azerbaijan border since 2023.