The foreign ministers of EU member states unanimously made the decision during a session of the 27-nation bloc’s top body, the European Council. In a statement, the council confirmed that the assistance will be used creating a field hospital and auxiliary facilities for a battalion-size Armenian army unit.
“The aim of this assistance measure is to enhance the logistical capacities of the Armenian Armed Forces, and to contribute to improved protection of civilians in crises and emergencies,” read the statement. “It also aims to enhance the resilience of Armenia and accelerate interoperability of its Armed Forces in case of possible future participation of the country in international military missions and operations, including those deployed by the EU.”
“Security is an increasingly important element of our bilateral relations with Armenia,” the statement quoted the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, as saying.
Armenia was quick to welcome the allocation, with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan calling it a “very important milestone in the Armenia-EU partnership.” Defense Minister Suren Papikian also thanked the EU for its first-ever military aid to his country.
Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry described the EU’s decision as “biased and one-sided.” “This is a very wrong and dangerous step that serves to exacerbate tensions in the region,” said a ministry spokesman.
The EU moved to approve the modest aid early this year after months of deliberations. It emerged in April that Hungary is blocking the decision and demanding that similar aid also be provided to Azerbaijan.
Earlier this month, diplomatic sources told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service that the Hungarian government, which has supported Azerbaijan in the conflict with Armenia, subsequently dropped the veto after other the EU agreed to finance demining activities in Azerbaijan.
The EU foreign ministers on Monday also rubber-stamped their Brussels-based ambassadors’ July 17 decision to start official negotiations with Armenia on lifting the EU’s visa requirements for Armenian citizens. The negotiations are expected to take years.
The decisions come amid the Armenian government’s efforts to move closer to the West and its growing tensions with Russia. Some members of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s political team have said that the South Caucasus nation should strive to join the EU. The EU statement issued on Monday did not mention such a prospect. It said the bloc is ready to deepen ties with Yerevan “based on the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement” signed in 2017.