The European Union on Monday launched a new mission in Armenia with the aim of what it said was to “support the Armenian authorities in enhancing the country’s resilience against hybrid threats and ability to address evolving security challenges.”

The mission was approved in April and, according to a statement, “ will support Armenia’s capacity to address such hybrid challenges, including cyber threats, foreign information manipulation and interference 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 said.

“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 Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy and security chief on Monday.

The new mission 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. “

The mission, which will have an initial two-year mandate, will be headed by Cosmin George Dinescu, who began his job on Saturday.

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