The French Minister of Foreign Affairs went to Yerevan this Tuesday, October 3, to express French support on a humanitarian level after the exodus of 100,000 people from Nagorno-Karabakh. She also announced an agreement with Armenia to send military equipment so that the country could “ ensure your defense “.
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Armenia has been demanding military support for months. While a new offensive from Azerbaijan is feared, France is “ vigilant regarding the territorial integrity of Armenia », Explained French Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, traveling to Yerevan.
Already last year, when hostilities had resumed at the border, a delegation from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces visited Armenia. The objective was then to assess the situation on site, but also to discuss prospects for cooperation in the field of defense.
Armenia demands security guarantees
This time, while few imagine Azerbaijan being content with the capture of Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia is demanding security guarantees more than ever. The country has never stopped to judge ineffective the support of the defense alliance that it forms in particular with Russia, passive during previous assaults.
The European Union, several members of which do not wish to alienate Azerbaijan to ensure their gas supply, also disappointed. Brussels refused to allow Armenia to benefit from technical assistance from the European Peace Facility, a mechanism which today benefits Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
In addition to the prospect of the delivery of military equipment, France called on its European partners to allow Yerevan to benefit from it for its defense. The fund was revised upwards this year, from 8 to 12 billion euros.
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