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.