EU intensifies influence in the region, meanwhile not promising quick results for the South Caucasus countries

PanARMENIAN.Net - 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.