Vassilis Maragos: It`s too early to talk about details of assistance to Armenia through European Peace Facility
ArmInfo. It is too early to talk about the details of the assistance that will be provided to Armenia
through the European Peace Facility (EPF). Head of the EU delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, stated on May 10 in Yerevan at the opening of the Europe Day celebrations.
Thus, to clarify whether the EU will make efforts to promote
assistance to Armenia through the EPF considering the fact that
Hungary had previously blocked the support project, Mr. Maragos
recalled that last November, during a meeting of the Commission on
External Relations, issues related to supporting Armenia's resilience
and responding to its needs in the field of security were discussed.
He added that then an agreement was reached to discuss two areas of
support - the provision of non-lethal assistance through the EPF and
an increase in the number of EU civilian observers on the border with
Azerbaijan.
"As for the EU mission, its number has already been increased, they
have arrived and the process of their deployment is underway. On the
second issue, discussions are still ongoing, it is too early to talk
about any details. But we hope that this process will soon be
completed," Mr. Maragos concluded. Earlier, the RFE/RL's Armenian
Service, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Hungary was
blocking a project to support Armenia in the amount of 10 million
euros through the European Peace Facility , which was agreed within
the alliance several weeks ago.
It is noted that Hungary demanded the inclusion of Azerbaijan in the
program under discussion. At the same time, the source added that in
order to break the deadlock, this issue is on the agenda for
discussions. In mid-April, it became known that a preliminary
agreement had been reached in Brussels to provide assistance to
Armenia in the amount of 10 million euros through the European Peace
Facility . According to diplomatic documents, the funds was to be
used to form a modular field camp for one battalion, which would also
include one medical station, as well as related services and
facilities. "The purpose of this support is to help the Armenian
Armed Forces increase its resilience and stability-building
capabilities and thereby better protect civilians during crises and
emergencies," the document says.