The Cypriot foreign ministry on Thursday hailed a pair of decisions taken by the European Council to boost relations between the European Union and Armenia.

The council had on Wednesday announced €10 million worth of support for the Armenian armed forces through the European Peace Facility, as well as the launch of a “visa liberalisation dialogue” for Armenian citizens wishing to travel to the EU.

The Cypriot foreign ministry described the moves as “significant steps forward in ties between the EU and Armenia”.

“Cyprus will continue working with its EU partners towards closer relations with Armenia, fostering regional peace and stability,” they added.

The council said the €10m in funding is aimed at “enhancing the logistical capacities of the Armenian armed forces”, as well as “contributing to improved protection of civilians in crises and emergencies”.

“It also aims to enhance the resilience of Armenia and accelerate the interoperability of its armed forces in case of possible future participation of the country in international military missions and operations, including those deployed by the EU,” they said.

In specifics, they said, the €10m “will allow the provision of a fully-fledged deployable tent camp for a battalion-sized unit”.

On the matter of visas, “visa liberalisation” would likely mean Armenia would be transferred from “Annex I” to “Annex II” of the Schengen zone’s visa rules. While Annex I countries’ citizens require visas to enter the Schengen zone, Annex II countries’ citizens can enter the area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.

Annex II countries include Australia, Canada, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and its most recent addition, Kosovo, which was included into Annex II on January 1 this year.