Catherine Colonna welcomes the decision of European Peace Facility

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.