“It is not yet known how Yerevan will pay for the acquisitions announced on Monday, the sum of which may amount to several 100 million euros,” according to the French publication Le Monde, Azernews reports.
This refers to the French military equipment, which the heads of the Defense Ministries of Armenia and France agreed to supply on October 23. Yerevan intends to purchase three GM200 radars designed to detect air threats and an undetermined number of short-range Mistral missiles.
The newspaper notes that on October 3, French Foreign Minister Colonna even suggested that Armenia use the European Peace Fund, a mechanism used to organize military support for Ukraine or Moldova.
It should be noted that on October 23, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikian met with his counterpart Sebastien Lecornu in France. The ministers signed an agreement on cooperation in the defense sector, while initiatives for the peace talks and Armenia’s joining rather regional cooperation in large-scale projects remain outstanding.
France’s provision of arms to Armenia undermines the transition to a peace process in the Caucasus, as does the signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. Armenia has suffered a crushing defeat and economic decline, and Yerevan’s state budget is unlikely to support the purchase of arms, but despite this, a treaty was signed between Paris and Yerevan.
The important thing at the moment is for Yerevan not to miss the 3+3 format initiated by the Azerbaijani leadership, including Tukiye and other countries, where all parties to this format will benefit economically and strengthen cooperation in different directions. It is important for Yerevan and the world community to understand that Azerbaijan does not intend to live and exist militarily, but on the contrary, it wants peace and freedom in the Caucasus, both for itself and its neighbors.
It is important to emphasize that the 3+3 format is an important investment from all sides, Baku will not be able to undertake everything; it is necessary for all, including Yerevan, to invest in building infrastructure, building routes, tourism, etc. Therefore, this aggressive choice of Armenia, instead of investing in the future prosperity of its residence in the Caucasus, “invests” in armament encouraged by Paris.
The Caucasus cannot prosper peacefully and freely if one of its neighbors is depressed and impoverished, and it is important for Yerevan to understand this.
Source : Azernews
