Assistance to separatist regime and invader - state interest of co-chairs - COMMENT

The main reason why the Azerbaijani territories are still under occupation is the position of the international mediators. Thus, OSCE Minsk Group members haven't exerted any strict and severe pressure against Armenia for the invasion. Instead, Armenia has been provided support in various fields.

The developments that Armenia experienced in May 2018 gave extra excuses for those countries to assist Armenia. Therefore, the European Union and the US are boosting financial support for this country.

The European Union will allocate financial aid worth $150 million to Armenia, while the US will increase assistance funding to Armenia by 40% up to $60 million. The White House allotted this assistance to Armenia for the fight against corruption, security, energetics, education, democracy, support to civil society, courts, and protection of human rights.

The US Department of State allocated $26 million to this country in 2019. This year's funding will also be spent on the 2020 targets. After regaining its independence, the US has annually provided financial assistance to Armenia. The program funded by US's Millennium Challenge Corporation (USA) awarded $235 million to Armenia.

Greek Cyprus and Greece are allies of the United States. In many cases, the White House is more likely to influence the situation in South Caucasus via these two states. Last year, the US lifted the embargo imposed on Greek Cyprus in 1987. Until then, Cyprus purchased arms from Russia and Europe. But now, the US will sell modern weapons to Cyprus. The arming of Cyprus can be regarded as a new source of the threat, especially against Turkey.

Moreover, there are agreements available on Greece-Cyprus-Armenia military cooperation. In July 2019, the delegation led by Speaker of Armenian Parliament Ararat Mirzoyan met with the Defense Minister of Cyprus Savvas Angelides. The sides agreed to cooperate in the military-technical and military-industry spheres.

By the way, the US National Security Advisor John Bolton, during his visit to Yerevan in October 2018, offered Armenia to buy American arms instead of Russian weapons. There is a likelihood that the weapons sold or donated to Cyprus from US will be found in the Armenian Army as well.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that no legal basis is available for France's administrative regions to assist the Armenians living in Karabakh. 'I can give false promises that I can sign a document for this purpose. But this will be legally impossible,' he said, adding that 'however, there is no obstacle to humanitarian ties with Nagorno-Karabakh and such cooperation doesn't oppose the French law.'

As Macron said, several humanitarian organizations are providing humanitarian assistance to Karabakh. British landmine clearance charity 'HALO Trust' is also among them. Besides, France's SPFA, KASA Swiss Humanitarian Foundation and other organizations provide support to the separatist regime in Karabakh under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Let me note one more issue. Last year, the US restored the frozen aid of $1 billion. It will allocate $40 million of that amount to Armenia and the so-called regime in Karabakh.

The Armenian National Committee of America reported that 75 US Representatives from 23 states urged Congress to expand US assistance to Armenia and the separatist regime in Karabakh, addressing a letter to the US House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations.

Armenians claim that the aid package will help invest in 'democracy and peace' in Armenia and Karabakh. The letter requests $1.5 million for demining services in Azerbaijan's occupied territories, $100 million for economic, governance, the rule of law, and security assistance to Armenia. The document also reveals another malicious intent. It urges the US Department of State and USAID to lift any official or unofficial restrictions on US travel, communication, or contacts with any government officials of the so-called regime in Karabakh.

The Armenian lobby mainly aims to extend the occupation of the Azerbaijani lands as much as possible. The OSCE Minsk Group member states – the US, Russia, and France, support their actions.

Those states are acting based on their interests, which also include the existence of the separatist ruling in Karabakh and the prolongation of Armenia's occupation policy. Therefore, they continue providing financial assistance to the invader, instead of imposing sanctions. The French president, Congressmen, and others serve such interests.