BRUSSELS: The European Union on Friday committed $290-million financial aid to Armenia, seeking along with Washington to enhance ties with Yerevan amid deteriorating relations with Russia.
The announcement comes after talks focusing at enhancing cooperation, between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Armenia, a former Soviet republic, is looking to receive economic support from the West as it edges away from traditional ally Russia.
It is not happy with Moscow for failing to stop Azerbaijan from recapturing its territory in recent years.
Von der Leyen said the four-year financial package for Armenia proved the EU stood shoulder to shoulder with Yerevan.
She said Europe and Armenia share a long and common history and the time has come to strengthen this partnership.
Pashinyan said Friday’s meeting in Brussels shows that his country is interested in expanding partnership with the EU and United States.
Blinken also said the US was enhancing its financial support for Yerevan to $65 million this year to support efforts to make Armenia a strong, independent nation.
Russia is not happy with Armenia’s idea of applying to join the EU.
