The European Union pledged a 270-million-euro ($290 million) financial package for Armenia as the EU and the US seek to strengthen ties with Yerevan while its relations with Moscow fall apart.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks in order to boost cooperation.
Yerevan is seeking to solidify economic support from the West apart from its traditional ally Russia after Moscow failed to stop Azerbaijan from regaining territory in recent years.
Von der Leyen said the four-year “resilience and growth” package indicates the EU stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Yerevan.
Pashinyan said Friday’s meeting in Brussels was proof of Armenia’s “expanding partnership” with the EU and the US.
Blinken said the US was also increasing its economic support for Yerevan to $65 million this year to aid efforts to make Armenia “a strong independent nation at peace with its neighbors.”
Armenia has angered Russia by criticizing its role as a regional security guarantor and even brought up the idea of applying for EU membership.
Yerevan has a longstanding alliance with Moscow but was infuriated when Russia failed to stop Azerbaijan’s seizure of the Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian separatists last year.
Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev have since voiced hope for a peace agreement but on Tuesday the two sides traded accusations of opening fire across the border.
Blinken called Aliyev on Wednesday to try to ease tensions ahead of talks in Brussels.
Pashinyan said he remained “committed to the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan.”
Turkey, Azerbaijan’s main supporter, warned Armenia’s talks with the US and EU “undermine the neutral approach that should be the basis for the solution of the complex problems of the region.”
