Course: European Integration Theories and EU Governance

Transformation of conflicts in the South Caucasus in terms of European integration

Author: Natalia Liparteliani

Professor: Dr. Dora Papadopoulou

Level: MA in Governance

2022 - 2023
INTRODUCTION
From the end of the 20th century to the present day, the ongoing conflicts in the three post-
Soviet countries of the South Caucasus - Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia - remain an actual
topic. All three countries are currently partner countries of the Eastern Partnership Policy
(EaP) of the European Union. The main goal of the partnership is to support the
development of democratic processes, rule of law and competitive economy in these three
PURPOSE OF YOUR RESEARCH
While Georgia was able to move to a new stage of European integration and signed the
Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union, which includes the development of
free trade areas and visa facilitation (DCFTA), and Armenia - the Comprehensive and
Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Azerbaijan is still involved in limited economic
and energy cooperation. Taking into account the association agreement and the development
of free trade zones, Georgia is considered the most important partner country for the
European Union in the region. The goal of Georgia is to become a member state of the
European Union.
It is natural, that the European integration process in all three countries is largely hindered
by the existing conflicts: Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In the settlement
of these conflicts the role and involvement of the European Union is quite large.
The European Union is one of the main donors in the financing of conflict resolution and
management, as well as confidence-building measures in the region. It works closely with
civil societies, governments and international organizations such as the United Nations
Development Programme. It should be mentioned, the EU4 dialogue project and the funding
scheme, which is focused on the conflicts in the post-Soviet countries, and the monitoring
mission in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the purpose of which is to facilitate the settlement of
the conflicts in the territory of Georgia.

We cannot fail to emphasize, that within the framework of the EaP, the European Union's
support for the education of the above-mentioned countries, as well as actions promoting the
rule of law, strengthening of civil society, and planning and implementation of ongoing
activities or events with internally displaced persons is very large. All this is aimed at the
most important goal - settlement of conflicts, and can be considered a prerequisite for this
process. It is logical that such activities make the European Union one of the main partners
of these three post-Soviet states in terms of the implementation of reforms on the one hand,
and economic activities and reforms on the other hand.
The aspiration of the countries of the South Caucasus towards European integration
was largely represented and represented by the progress of Europe from the political,
economic and cultural point of view. However, there are many parties for whom these
arguments are unacceptable and they appeal to the cultural difference and believe, that the
integration process may threaten the cultural identity of these countries. From a political
point of view, they consider it unrealistic and dangerous to be involved in the planned
processes. It is unfortunate, that in the first and second decades of the 21 st century, these
views gained more and more supporters, and pro-Russian groups began to gain strength
again. The confrontation and differences of opinion between the two main groups are getting
stronger. On one side there are forces for which Russia is an alternative to Europe and
European integration, and on the other side - those for whom, on the contrary, Russia is an
obstacle on the way to the European future. To a large extent, the reason for this may be the
crises developed in Europe, against the background of which the pursuit of European
integration has become less attractive, as the possibility of receiving support from Europe has
been called into question.
An important period has come for Armenia, when the question arose whether to start
constructive relations with Russia in order to avoid polarization inside the country and to be
able to continue involvement in the European integration process without reassessing
relations with Russia. Everything should have been discussed in the context of resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was of the utmost importance for Armenia to develop a plan
for integration with the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union, which would
also help it in the process of transitioning to a dialogue format with Baku. This could be
considered indirectly in terms of conflict resolution.
In general, the instability and conflicts in the South Caucasus may pose a threat to the
security of the European Union, which is determined by the region's geographical location,
existing energy resources and pipelines of international importance. At the same time, the
current conflicts in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia may
become a training ground for larger-scale military interventions in the European
neighborhood, which the ongoing war in Ukraine has made an even more obvious threat.
In order to strengthen the role and influence of the European Union in the South Caucasus,
it is important to engage it even more in the direction of conflict settlement in the region
through various action plans and negotiations with each party. It should be more closely
involved in the process of democratization, governance and protection of human rights in
the countries of the South Caucasus. These processes are taking place quite weakly in the
direction of Azerbaijan and Armenia, however, in the case of Georgia, the situation is
relatively more reliable and progressive.

Conclusion
Finally, considering how the process of European integration affects the conflicts in the
South Caucasus, it is necessary to note that this process should be considered in two different
ways. First, it is from the end of the twentieth century to the beginning of the twenty-first
century, when the EU's interest in the processes in the region gradually grew, and during
which the first EU special representative was appointed in the South Caucasus. The second
period can be considered from the first years of the twenty-first century to the present day.
This is the period when the European Union is already involved in the mediation process and
its role in the settlement of conflicts in the Caucasus has increased.