The EU in the South Caucasus: By What Means, to What Ends? Cover Image

The EU in the South Caucasus: By What Means, to What Ends?
The EU in the South Caucasus: By What Means, to What Ends?

Author(s): Mariam Dekanozishvili
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Eurojournal.org

Summary/Abstract: The end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the USSR caused radical changes on whole international arena. It opened new opportunities for the EU, produced new expectations from the newly independent states, caused the EU to redefine and redirect its external policies towards this part of the world and to place the newly independent states in its “pyramid of privileges”. Where is the South Caucasus region in this pyramid? To what extent the EU can be assumed to be an active player in the South Caucasus? What are the factors affecting the EU policy towards the region?... The EU appeared on the South Caucasian scene from the early 90’s, when the process of transition towards market economy and democracy began in these countries and when conflict and petroleum loomed over the political landscape of the Caucasus. The EU has launched several projects and has provided the region with humanitarian and technical assistance, followed by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements. Although the presence of the EU in the region has been obvious, the intensity of the EU’s role in the South Caucasus still remains very debatable. A number of external and internal factors are influencing the European Union policy towards the region. Some of them promote the EU activation, while others impose constraints and cause reluctance on the EU side. The following paper represents a modest attempt to shed light on aforementioned issues.

  • Issue Year: 2004
  • Issue No: 06
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: English