Abstract
The geopolitical interpretation of political processes taking place in the South Caucasus region ignores the possibility of an independent external policy of the smaller states that do not possess considerable military or economic power. Nevertheless, small states build their relations with Russia, the EU and other actors in accordance with the national political discourse that does not often correspond to the realist paradigm of international relations. The case of Armenia exemplifies membership in integration projects often described in academic literature as competing ones. As a consequence, the importance of closer research of internal political processes and factors that influence the decision to join one or another regional project increases. Cooperation with the EU, which has been strongly connected to partners’ commitment to democratic norms, human rights reforms and rule of law, was considered as an important part of their external policy by all the three South Caucasus countries. For the moment, the Eurasian Economic Union does not designate the normative component of cooperation with member countries. In this sense, the Eurasian project has still to define itself.
Highlights
The geopolitical interpretation of political processes taking place in the South Caucasus region ignores the possibility of an independent external policy of the smaller states that do not possess considerable military or economic power
The following reasons are mentioned in the literature to explain the perception of European integration and the Eurasian Economic Union projects as competing ones: (i) participation in the Eastern Partnership program as a step towards potential accession to the EU (Arutyunyan, 2011); (ii) the alleged anti-Russian nature of the program; (iii) lack of political reason for membership in the Eurasian Economic Union; (iv) the actual entry of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) despite having no customs border with Armenia, which indicates Russia’s strategic importance as a guarantor of Armenia’s security (Minasyan, 2015)
In public statements by Armenian politicians, the EU is perceived as a driver of modernization, whereas Russia is indicated as a strategic partner and security guarantor (Petrova and Ayvazyan, 2018)
Summary
Participation in integration projects offers the possibility of using external resources to modernize political and economic institutions: this relates both to exchange of best-case practices, as well as direct financial support in various areas of development, including small and medium-sized businesses, education system, and cultural programs. The agreement on cooperation between Armenia and the EU, like most agreements with partner countries, is accompanied by a preamble stating the importance of fundamental freedoms and human rights, development of democracy and a market economy. The main document justifying the provision of technical, financial, humanitarian and other assistance to neighboring countries by the Russian Federation is the Concept of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of assisting international development.[9] Its declared goal is sustainable socio-economic development of partner countries as a necessary element of collective security — the regulatory framework includes references to the UN Charter. While the Russian federal authorities provide assistance in accordance with and their Member States, of the one part and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, Interinstitutional file 2017/0238 (NLE), Brussels, 25 September 2017
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