Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today applauded House passage of an appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2022 that strengthens aid to Armenia and holds Azerbaijan accountable. The bill includes $50 million to bolster Armenia’s democratic, economic, and energy reforms while also offering flexibility to address the ongoing humanitarian needs in Artsakh linked to last year’s 44-day war. It also prevents U.S. security funding to Azerbaijan through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programs and directs $2 million in funding to a demining program in Artsakh in Armenia.
“Amidst ongoing Azerbaijani aggression in the region, I am proud this funding bill includes unprecedented support for Armenia and sends a clear signal to Azerbaijan that the United States will not tolerate authoritarian regimes that threaten peace and stability. I was also pleased to see language included directing the State Department and USAID to fund life-saving demining efforts in Artsakh,” said Pallone. “I applaud this important step that will help bolster Armenia’s democracy, improve economic development, and help alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Azerbaijan’s unprovoked attack on Armenia. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Congressional Armenian Caucus to ensure the United States stands ready to invest in Armenia and build on our strategic partnership.”
Last September, Azerbaijan, actively aided by Turkey and foreign mercenaries, initiated a deadly invasion of Artsakh that led to six weeks of devastating fighting that killed more than 5,000 people and forced more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee their homes. Artsakh and Armenia continue to grapple with an ongoing humanitarian crisis that resulted from the invasion. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to provocatively station troops in Armenian territory while falsely declaring the land as its own and illegally holding ethnic Armenians as detainees and prisoners of war in contravention of international human rights law.
Pallone spoke on the House floor in favor of the bill. Video is available here.
A copy of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee bill report is available HERE.
A copy of a letter sent by the Caucus Co-Chairs to the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee on April 28 is available HERE.
Issues: Foreign Affairs and Defense
Original source can be found here.
