EU Does Not Intervene in Armenia's Internal Affairs: Khandanyan

Hybrid attacks and disinformation are not solely Armenian issues. Around the world, democracy is subjected to hybrid attacks from various sources, and in this regard, the European Union and several other organizations have certain tools that have demonstrated some effectiveness.

This was stated in a briefing with journalists by the Chairman of the Permanent Commission on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly, Sargis Khandanyan, in reference to cooperation with the EU in combating hybrid manifestations.

“There can be no question of interference in Armenia's internal affairs here, because this occurs within the framework of an exchange of experiences. As for the opposition partners, from the perspective of internal interference, I would like you to ask what assessment they give to the interference of a Russian oligarch in Armenia's internal political life. I’m not saying that their involvement is called a hybrid war, but the opposition accuses us of the EU interfering in the internal affairs of the country, although we see striking examples of interference in the country’s internal affairs,” he stated.

Khandanyan emphasized that Armenia is subjected to hybrid attacks from within. “I do not claim that these threats come only from Russia, but when we look at the thoughts and expressions of Russian state television channels and prominent individuals regarding Armenia and the democratic processes in Armenia, we can note that this is also a hybrid or an attempt against the democracy of Armenia.

We do not bring people from abroad; Armenia cooperates with the EU on various issues, including strengthening Armenia's democratic institutions, in order to utilize the European toolkit against such threats. It is not just about financial resources, but about methodologies and tools,” Khandanyan added.