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EU INTENSIFIES INFLUENCE IN THE REGION, MEANWHILE NOT PROMISING QUICK RESULTS FOR THE SOUTH CAUCASUS COUNTRIES
Yekaterina Poghosyan / PanARMENIAN News
PanARMENIAN.Net
July 27, 2010
EU is not determined to weaken its position in the region, just on
the contrary.
July 19 marked the beginning of negotiations on Associative Agreement
between Armenia and the European Union. The beginning of negotiations
clearly outlines the frames and format of the upcoming cooperation
of Brussels with Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku. Of course, it will seem
strange to an average citizen that parallel with its recent and rather
ambitious initiative of "Eastern Partnership" the EU suddenly decides
to start another project in the region. However, the associative
agreement never means that Europe opens up its gates and hurries to
accept new members. Taking into account the post-recession condition
in the EU member-states, Brussels alertly treats its eastern neighbors'
aspiration for joining the "European club".
Most likely this was the reason for Turkey's disappointment in the
process of joining the EU. Despite the fact that for 45 years now
Turkey has been an "associate member" of the European Union, Ankara
was clearly given to understand that she shouldn't be expecting any
good news in the near future. However, it did not prevent the parties
from forming a customs union and actively collaborating in the sphere
of economy and trade.
As for the South Caucasus states, the situation is not so simple here.
A small market and regional conflicts! European officials realize
perfectly well that the unsettled conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh reduces
to nothing all the possible plans of establishing a united economic
platform in the region. But Brussels is not determined to fully break
off all the contacts with the South Caucasus either, as it realizes
the geopolitical importance of the region. Besides, the increasing
Islamist and anti-European sentiments in Turkey cause the West, and
Europe in particular, to more seriously prepare to face the possible
developments arising from the neo-Ottoman policy of Ankara.
Besides, EU is interested in the South Caucasus as an alternative
corridor for the delivery of energy resources. As Gunnar Vigand,
Chairman of the European Commission's Foreign Relations Directorate
declared at a joint press-conference with Deputy Foreign Minister
of Armenia Karine Kazinyan, besides political, economic and
cultural issues, the Armenia-EU negotiations will also include
issues of cooperation in the energy sector. However, because of
the unsettled Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it would be too naïve to
expect implementation of joint energy projects with the EU in the
foreseeable future.
Nevertheless, the fact that the EU starts negotiations on an
associative agreement with three South Caucasus states at the same
time denotes that the Organization is not determined to weaken its
position in the region. Just on the contrary. Slowly but confidently
the European Union is trying to preserve and intensify its influence
in the region, meanwhile not promising quick and supernatural results,
such as a EU membership, for the South Caucasus countries. Perhaps,
this was what Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, meant saying that
the negotiations on association fully reflect the strategic interests
of Brussels in the South Caucasus.
As for Armenia's attitude towards this format of collaboration with
the EU, Official Yerevan realizes that these negotiations are a
long and uneasy process, and no one can give the exact time of their
completion. Armenian side gave its European colleagues to understand
that she is seriously determined towards this initiative and is ready
to strain every nerve to draw the negotiations to the successful end.
Yerevan also hinted that in response to such a readiness Armenia
expects conclusion of an agreement on facilitation of the visa regime
with the EU by the end of this year.
From: A. Papazian
Yekaterina Poghosyan / PanARMENIAN News
PanARMENIAN.Net
July 27, 2010
EU is not determined to weaken its position in the region, just on
the contrary.
July 19 marked the beginning of negotiations on Associative Agreement
between Armenia and the European Union. The beginning of negotiations
clearly outlines the frames and format of the upcoming cooperation
of Brussels with Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku. Of course, it will seem
strange to an average citizen that parallel with its recent and rather
ambitious initiative of "Eastern Partnership" the EU suddenly decides
to start another project in the region. However, the associative
agreement never means that Europe opens up its gates and hurries to
accept new members. Taking into account the post-recession condition
in the EU member-states, Brussels alertly treats its eastern neighbors'
aspiration for joining the "European club".
Most likely this was the reason for Turkey's disappointment in the
process of joining the EU. Despite the fact that for 45 years now
Turkey has been an "associate member" of the European Union, Ankara
was clearly given to understand that she shouldn't be expecting any
good news in the near future. However, it did not prevent the parties
from forming a customs union and actively collaborating in the sphere
of economy and trade.
As for the South Caucasus states, the situation is not so simple here.
A small market and regional conflicts! European officials realize
perfectly well that the unsettled conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh reduces
to nothing all the possible plans of establishing a united economic
platform in the region. But Brussels is not determined to fully break
off all the contacts with the South Caucasus either, as it realizes
the geopolitical importance of the region. Besides, the increasing
Islamist and anti-European sentiments in Turkey cause the West, and
Europe in particular, to more seriously prepare to face the possible
developments arising from the neo-Ottoman policy of Ankara.
Besides, EU is interested in the South Caucasus as an alternative
corridor for the delivery of energy resources. As Gunnar Vigand,
Chairman of the European Commission's Foreign Relations Directorate
declared at a joint press-conference with Deputy Foreign Minister
of Armenia Karine Kazinyan, besides political, economic and
cultural issues, the Armenia-EU negotiations will also include
issues of cooperation in the energy sector. However, because of
the unsettled Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it would be too naïve to
expect implementation of joint energy projects with the EU in the
foreseeable future.
Nevertheless, the fact that the EU starts negotiations on an
associative agreement with three South Caucasus states at the same
time denotes that the Organization is not determined to weaken its
position in the region. Just on the contrary. Slowly but confidently
the European Union is trying to preserve and intensify its influence
in the region, meanwhile not promising quick and supernatural results,
such as a EU membership, for the South Caucasus countries. Perhaps,
this was what Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, meant saying that
the negotiations on association fully reflect the strategic interests
of Brussels in the South Caucasus.
As for Armenia's attitude towards this format of collaboration with
the EU, Official Yerevan realizes that these negotiations are a
long and uneasy process, and no one can give the exact time of their
completion. Armenian side gave its European colleagues to understand
that she is seriously determined towards this initiative and is ready
to strain every nerve to draw the negotiations to the successful end.
Yerevan also hinted that in response to such a readiness Armenia
expects conclusion of an agreement on facilitation of the visa regime
with the EU by the end of this year.
From: A. Papazian