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.