ArmInfo.It is the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict that arouses the European Union's interest in them as of today, accordingly, it is an opportunity for EU to participate in Caucasian affairs through its moderation, thereby competing with Russia. Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the Valdai Discussion Club expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
"This is where many of Brussels' overtures to Yerevan and Baku come from. For example, the recent actual invitation to participate in the unofficial EU summit in Prague. But all this does not mean at all that Armenia and Azerbaijan have a prospect of joining the EU, due to the lack of resources for the latter's expansion. Moreover, this position of the EU is shared in Yerevan and Baku, at least now," he said.
One way or another, but according to the analyst, impulses continue to come from Brussels in the direction of expanding its own influence, including in the South Caucasus. The goal is to level the obstacles in the way of their own mediation in the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani problems with the subsequent transformation of Armenia and Azerbaijan into loyal partners, following the example of Georgia. According to Lukyanov, in addition to such declarative and demonstrative manifestations, Brussels can actually offer the countries of the South Caucasus, albeit significant, but only financial injections. Geopolitical regional problems and contradictions "on the ground" are solved by Moscow, which has great levers and mechanisms, as well as influence.
"One way or another, but perfectly understanding all this, the European Union mobilized all its resources against the Russian Federation in the post-Soviet space, in particular, in the direction covered by the Eastern Partnership. And if everything is more or less clear with Belarus at this stage, then the European bureaucracy and some leaders of the EU countries are actively fighting for the membership of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova in the EU.
In the case of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Brussels, without demanding to determine the vector of development immediately, integrates them gradually, strengthening its own presence and cooperation in the processes of resolving problems in the region. Meanwhile, a couple of years ago, such requirements were actively put forward," the analyst summed up.