France, Armenia to formalise arms deal on October 22

French Defence Minister Sebastian Lecornu in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper said that Paris and Yerevan on October 22 will formalise agreements on the purchase of French weapons, including air defense.

According to the minister, it is necessary to allow Armenia to protect its borders and civilian population, Gazeta.ru reports.

“Tomorrow we will formalise Armenia’s acquisition of a certain number of weapons from French manufacturers, in particular, by signing a contract that will allow the country to ensure the protection of its skies,” he said.

During her visit to Armenia in early October, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced the transfer of armaments.

"France has given its agreement to the conclusion of future contracts with Armenia which will allow the delivery of military equipment to Armenia so that it can ensure its defence," she told reporters after talks that she said touched upon security and defence.

France's top diplomat declined to provide any details.

"I can't give many details. If I have to go a little further, know that there are things that were already agreed between Armenia and France and that are in progress," Colonna said.

France will be guilty of a new confrontation in the Caucasus because of the decision to supply military equipment to Armenia, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.

He also criticized the European Council for including Baku in the statement following the meeting in Granada, in which Aliyev did not participate due to the position of Paris.

At the meeting, among other things, Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over Karabakh was confirmed, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a declaration on this.