US House panel votes to approve $40 million aid to Armenia

A key U.S. House panel responsible for foreign aid spending voted today to approve $40 million in economic aid to Armenia, the website of the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs reported.

Recently a group of pro-Armenian Congressmen led by Frank Pallone requested $60 million for economic aid to Armenia and at least $10 million for Nagorno Karabakh, but the foreign aid panel reportedly did not include specific recommendations for U.S. assistance levels to Nagorno Karabakh.

The foreign aid panel decided to maintain parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. House Foreign Operations Subcommittee Member Adam Schiff urged to eliminate military aid to Azerbaijan. The volume of military aid has not been announced yet.

The Congressmen addressing the subcommittee’s meeting explained falling of level of aid to Armenia with financial problems US faced this year. The foreign aid bill should be approved by the House Appropriations Committee and then by the House of Representatives. After these procedures it will come to force. The committee and House are expected to determine financial aid to Azerbaijan in their next meeting.


/APA/