EU prepares second tranche of aid for Armenia

The European Union is preparing to provide a second tranche of aid to Armenia through the European Peace Facility.

This proposal, presented by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, was confirmed by Pedro Fonseca Moniz, the EU Spokesman for International Relations and Security Policy, in response to an inquiry by APA, per Caliber.Az.

Moniz explained that the new aid package builds on previous assistance provided to Armenia and will be discussed by the EU Council in the coming weeks. “The Council will start considering the proposal in the coming weeks,” he said.

The European Union has consistently called for peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia and has facilitated numerous negotiations on the matter. However, the EU's unilateral decision to provide military support to Armenia raises concerns, especially considering the backdrop of these peace efforts. The provision of military aid to Armenia has sparked questions about the EU's role and intentions in the region.

It is important to note that in 2024, the EU also allocated a tranche from the European Peace Fund to Armenia. On July 22 of that year, the European Union Council decided to provide Armenia with €10 million in military aid as part of the European Peace Fund initiative.

This decision was met with criticism from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Spokesman Akyhan Hajizada called the EU’s decision “a wrong and dangerous step that contributes to the escalation of tensions in the region.” He further argued that the EU’s actions were “one-sided and biased,” and represented a policy of creating “dividing lines” in the region.

Hajizada emphasized that the EU’s military aid to Armenia, along with calls for its increase, would only serve to bolster Armenia’s military capabilities and potentially fuel destructive activities. He reminded the international community that Armenia has occupied parts of Azerbaijani territory for nearly 30 years and continues to challenge Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

By Tamilla Hasanova