By Ani Avetisyan
Armenia’s northern neighbor, Georgia received an EU candidate status on December 14, marking the realisation of its European aspirations. Amid changes in its foreign policy and Georgia’s steady moves towards the West, the Armenian government is also setting its eyes on Europe.
While Armenia’s relations with the West have been improving since the 2018 Velvet Revolution, and more actively since the recent tensions between Moscow and Yerevan, Yerevan for the first time officially announced that “the Armenian government and the Armenian people also have European aspirations.”.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated at the 15th annual session of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in Brussels on December 12 that Armenia “stays committed to democracy and democratic values” and hopes that “the European Union supports” Armenia’s aspiration “by using its instruments”. Mirzoyan said that Armenia, as part of the EaP, has “firm intention and resolve to come closer to the European Union” and that it needs the support of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia in its path.
At the same time, Mirzoyan said that Armenia was “committed” to get as close to the EU as the Union “deemed possible”, without mentioning where Armenia’s European aspirations end for the government.
Armenia-EU relations have been limited because of Russia’s growing influence on the country and its military presence. The Comprehensive Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia and the EU covers mostly reform and economy-related issues, leaving the Russian-influenced areas untouched. The country’s relations with the EU achieved a new milestone following the Azerbaijani attack on the country in September 2022, as a result of which the EU sent a 100-strong observation mission to the Armenian section of the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border. Late in 2023, a decision to increase presence of the mission by sending additional around 100 observers was made in Brussels.
Additionally, following Azerbaijan’s military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh in September, the European Union appeared to be more positive about providing Armenia with military assistance through the European Peace Facility, after denying Armenia’s request in summer.
In late November, along with other statements, the EU also hinted at the possibility of launching talks on visa liberalisation process with Armenia. Armenians need a schengen visa to enter the European Union, and the process is difficult, problematic and humiliating for many.
Armenia’s tender relations with the EU run parallel to growing tensions with Russia, as the countries exchange mutual accusations and complaints. Armenia is dissatisfied with Russia’s support as its sole military and strategic partner in the conflict with Azerbaijan and the situation over Nagorno-Karabakh, which took place in the presence of Russian peacekeepers. Yerevan accused Moscow of “absolute indifference” during the fighting with Azerbaijan in September, despite requests for military assistance, and moved to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Court of Justice, which calls on member states to arrest Russian President Putin.
With the tensions with Moscow growing, Armenia also moved to choose the West, and particularly the EU as the preferred mediator in the talks with Azerbaijan. Baku, however, appeared to oppose the EU’s initiations, pulling out a number of high-ranking meetings.
Along with the government statements and actions towards better relations with the EU, the reputation of Russia keeps decreasing in Armenia as the general public finds itself frustrated with the efficiency of the alliance, while the trust towards the West grows. According to the most recent public opinion poll by the International Republican Institute (IRI), 86% of the respondents considered Armenia’s relations with the EU to be good, while only 50% expressed satisfaction with Russia. The respondents, however, still considered Russia to be a more important ally than the EU.
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