Armenia and Europe: Can a Country Simultaneously Strengthen Autocracy, Deepen Its Ties with Russia, and Become European?

Author(s): Mikhayel Hovhannisyan
Editor(s): Jeronim Perovic, Lili Di Puppo, Iris Kempe, Heiko Pleines, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue: 53
Pages: 27-31
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen; Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, George Washington University
Publication Year: 2013

This article examines Armenias efforts to balance closer integration with the EU with its ties to Russia. As Armenia moves closer to signing an Association Agreement by the end of the year, Russia is increasing pressure on the country, such as by raising natural gas prices. The West is attractive economically, while Armenia still needs Russias help in the security sphere. The central question is how the current leadership can position itself between these two external partners while maintaining stability at home.

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