Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry denounced the European Union’s €10 million ($10.8 million) navy help package deal for Armenia, calling it a harmful step as the 2 neighbors attempt to attain a peace deal after many years of battle.
“Following the steps taken by France to equip Armenia with ‘Bastion’ multi-purpose armored autos and ‘Caesar’ self-propelled artillery programs, the European Union’s choice to ship navy help to Armenia is an faulty and harmful step that serves to extend pressure within the area,” Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada stated in a press release.
He described the EU’s announcement as “unilateral and biased,” in addition to a “manifestation of the policy of creating ‘dividing lines’ in the region.”
He stated the navy help to Yerevan, in addition to future requires elevated help, will assist Armenia construct up its navy.
“We strongly object to this choice by the Council of the European Union and count on clear details about the help to be offered,” he went on to say.
He known as on the EU to halt such steps, arguing that they “contribute to the coverage of navy buildup and militarization within the area, and acknowledge that there is no such thing as a various to peace and cooperation within the area.”
“Otherwise, the European Union can even share duty with Armenia for any doable destabilizing provocations,” he warned.
Earlier, the Council of the EU adopted a choice to offer a €10 million help package deal for the Armenian navy, which it stated aimed to bolster the logistical capacities of the Armenian Armed Forces amongst different targets.
Relations between Baku and Yerevan have remained tense since 1991, when the Armenian navy occupied Karabakh, a territory internationally acknowledged as a part of Azerbaijan, and 7 adjoining areas.
Most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan throughout a 44-day struggle within the fall of 2020, which ended after a Russian-brokered peace settlement that opened the door to normalization and talks on border demarcation.
Last September, Azerbaijan established full sovereignty in Karabakh following an “anti-terrorist operation” after which separatist forces within the area surrendered.
Source: www.dailysabah.com