US Senate Committee approves $65m aid for Armenia

YEREVAN, July 29. /ARKA/. The US Senate Appropriations Committee approved a series of measures this week, including the Fiscal Year 2025 State Foreign Operations Bill, calling for $65 million in assistance for Armenia, the Armenian Assembly of America reported on Monday.

The Committee expressed its support for ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, instructing the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator to consider the status of these negotiations when allocating funds.

However, it was noted that Azerbaijan's actions have hindered the peace process. Specifically, Azerbaijan rejected a meeting with Armenian counterparts during the NATO summit in Washington this month and made further demands, including amendments to Armenia's constitution, claims to a so-called "Western Azerbaijan" (referring to Armenia), and demands for the extraterritorial Zangezur corridor.

The Committee also emphasized the need for funds to provide humanitarian aid to those displaced by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, particularly refugees displaced since September 2023. Furthermore, the Committee supported continued humanitarian demining and activities to clear unexploded ordnance in areas affected by the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Armenian Assembly of America highlighted that this financial aid aims to support Armenia in its path toward reforms and integration with Euro-Atlantic structures, ensuring that both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term stability and development are addressed.