Will Begin Visa Liberalization Talks with Armenia
The European Union will allocate 10 million euros ($10.8 million) to bolster Armenia’s military capabilities. Azerbaijan was quick to condemn the decision and threatened the EU with “consequences.”
This first-ever allocation to Armenia will provide assistance to support to increase the material and technical capabilities of Armenia’s Armed Forces and contribute to improving the protection of civilian in crisis and emergency situations, Armenpress reported.
The funding aims to “increase Armenia’s resilience and accelerate the interoperability of its armed forces, potentially facilitating the country’s future participation in international military missions and operations, including those organized by the EU,” according to the decision.
Among the projects that will funded is the creation of a full-fledged battalion-sized tent camp union.
“Security is an important element of bilateral relations with Armenia,” said EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell. He added that the EU has a mutual interest in further expanding dialogue on foreign and security policy, also looking into Armenia’s future participation in EU-led missions and operations.
“The EU is committed to enhancing the comprehensive political and economic partnership with Armenia, based on the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, and to further strengthening our relations in all their dimensions. This includes intensifying dialogue and cooperation in the area of foreign and security policy, also encompassing the common security and defense policy,” a statement from the Council of the Europe said.
The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 for the financing of actions under the common foreign and security policy to prevent conflicts, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organizations relating to military and defense matters.
Until earlier this month, Hungary was said to have been impeding the allocation. It was reported on July 5 that it had dropped its opposition, paving the way for the approval by all EU member-states.
The European Commission also decided to begin visa liberalization talks with Armenia, a step that was signaled last week by EU officials.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said he did not have “anything specific” on the EU allocation decision. Instead he repeated the United States’ support for a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to make significant progress toward finalizing a peace agreement. We are committed to supporting that process. As you have heard us say, the time for peace is now, and we continue to work to try to reach an agreement,” Miller said on Monday.
As part of the dialogue on visa liberalization, “the Armenian authorities must implement significant reforms in key areas such as security of travel documents, border management, migration and asylum, public order and security, fundamental issues relating to the rights to freedom movement,” Armenpress reported.
“The main tool for dialogue will be an action plan for visa liberalization, which will be presented to the Armenian authorities. The dialogue on visa liberalization will be carried out through close cooperation with EU member states to ensure that the process is controlled and meets all necessary standards. Only then will the final decision on visa liberalization be made,” the commission said in a statement.
The Council of the European Union was quick to welcome the visa liberalization move.
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also welcomed the decision and thanked the EU for the landmark allocation.
“We salute the historic decisions of EU Foreign Affairs Council on providing assistance to Armenia under the European Peace Facility and opening Visa Liberalization Dialogue,” Mirzoyan said in a social media post Monday.
“This is a very important milestone in the Armenia-EU partnership based on shared values and principles as well as the vision for stability, peace and prosperity. I sincerely thank my colleagues from the EU and the member states,” he added.
Defense Minister Suren Papikyan similarly welcomed the move, saying in a post on social media that he is “confident that this initiative will give a new charge to closer cooperation with our partner EU member countries in both bilateral and multilateral formats.”
Azerbaijan reacted angrily to the decision to allocate military assistance to Armenia.
The Azerbaijani foreign ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hahizada called the move “wrong and dangerous.”
“Following the steps taken by France to equip Armenia with ‘Bastion’ multi-purpose armored vehicles and ‘Caesar’ self-propelled artillery systems, the European Union’s decision to send military aid to Armenia is wrong and a dangerous step that serves to increase tension in the region,” Hajizada said in a statement.
The foreign ministry spokesperson accused the EU of being “biased,” saying the decision is “manifestation of the policy of creating ‘dividing lines’ in the region.”
He said the military assistance to Yerevan, as well as future calls for increased support, will help Armenia build up its military.
“We strongly object to this decision by the Council of the European Union and expect transparent information about the aid to be provided,” Hajizada added.
He called on the EU to halt the efforts, arguing that they “contribute to the policy of military buildup and militarization in the region, and recognize that there is no alternative to peace and cooperation in the region.”
“Otherwise, the European Union will also share responsibility with Armenia for any possible destabilizing provocations,” he warned.
