White House Suggests to Cut aid to Armenia by 67%, to Azerbaijan - by 90%

• 05.24.2017, 18:04
•  America,  Region,  World,  Armenia

US News & World Report

The Administration released its budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) to Congress today with substantial budget cuts, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reports. The proposed budget for FY18, called "A New Foundation for American Greatness," recommended a 29 percent cut overall and a 60 percent reduction in assistance to Europe and Eurasia, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reports. 

Under the Administration's budget, aid to Armenia would be reduced by 67 percent, dropping from $20.4 million in FY16 to $6.8 million proposed for FY18. Compared to other post-Soviet nations in the region, Georgia and Ukraine are slated for a 58 percent decrease and a 70 percent decrease in aid, respectively. Assistance to Azerbaijan is cut by 90 percent with a total of $1 million envisioned.

The budget request for Armenia includes $4 million in Economic Support and Development Fund, $1.5 million for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, and $700,000 for Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs. The President's budget maintains military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan, at $600,000 for International Military Education and Training (IMET), but does not recommend Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to either country.