ArmInfo. Armenia's access to
the European Peace Facility is the culmination of a long-standing
French initiative. Thus, former French Foreign Minister Catherine
Colonna responded to the message that the EU Council approved the
provision of assistance to Armenia in the amount of 10 million euros
through the European Support Instrument.
"I am pleased with the good news that Armenia will have access to the
European Peace Facility. This is the culmination of a long-standing
French initiative. Congratulations to Stephane Sejournet for
achieving the goal of the initiative. France stands with Armenia,"
Catherine Colonna wrote on her microblog on Twitter (X).
French member of the European Parliament Nathalie Loiseau also
responded to this EU decision. "For the first time, the European
Union provides support to Armenia through the European Peace
Facility. I am happy about this decision, for which I have been
fighting for many months," Loiseau wrote on Twitter. In turn, member
of the European Parliament Miriam Lexman welcomed the decisions of
the EU Council to begin a dialogue on visa liberalization between the
European Union and Armenia and to provide support to Armenia from the
EPF.
"Some wise and strategic decisions from the Council at last. I
sincerely welcome the strengthening of our bilateral relations with
Armenia and support reforms," Lexman noted.
This decision of the EU Council was also welcomed by the foreign
ministries of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic and
other countries.
On July 22, the EU Council adopted the first ever assistant measure
in support of the Armed Forces of Armenia in the amount of 10 million
euros through the European Peace Facility(EPF). The purpose of this
support measure is to enhance the logistical capacities of the
Armenian Armed Forces, as well as to contribute to improved
protection of civilians in crisis and emergency situations. It also
aims to enhance Armenia's resilience and promote interoperability of
its Armed Forces in the event of the country's possible future
participation in international military missions and operations,
including those deployed by the EU. Specifically, the adopted measure
of assistance will allow the provision of fully- fledged deployable
tent camp for a battalion-sized unit. The European Commission noted
that the support accepted today will be provided within the framework
of the EU's partnership with Armenia, based on common values and
aimed at promoting peace, stability and prosperity in Armenia and the
South Caucasus. The European Peace Facility was created in March
2021 to finance actions within the framework of the common foreign
and security policy aimed at preventing conflict, preserving peace
and strengthening international security and stability. In
particular, the European Peace Fund allows the EU to finance actions
aimed at strengthening the capacity of third states, as well as
regional and international organizations related to military and
defense issues.
The EU Council also gave the green light to start a dialogue on visa
liberalization with Armenia.
