23. The Government remains committed to working with the European Union to support the efforts of independent media and civil society organisations to combat state-sponsored information manipulation and interference in Armenia and the Western Balkans. 3 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/campaign-to-tackle-dirty-money-steps-up-with-new- sanctions 4 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-targets-sanctions-circumvention-and-crypto- networks-exploited-by-russia 24. The Government strongly supports Armenia’s desire to deepen its relations with the West. The UK, along with our international partners, including in the European Union, is supporting the Armenian Government to protect its democratic resilience and ensure elections that are free from malign interference. This includes work on how Armenia can protect itself against anticipated Russian attempts at information manipulation or interference that threaten the national security of both Armenia and the UK. 25. The Government is investing to counter FIMI in the Western Balkans and Armenia with support for independent media and civil society mechanisms. Please refer to our response to recommendation 1 for further information. Cooperation with Europe