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The EU´s Policy in the South Caucasus
Journal
L'Europe en Formation
ISSN
0014-2808
ISSN-Digital
0014-2808
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Delcour, Laure
Abstract (De)
In this paper, we analyse how Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia respond to and try to shape the EU’s
South Caucasus policy. The EU has since the 2000s developed differentiated policies for the three countries.
We ask to what extent this differentiation supports the EU goals of strengthening impact and visibility
in the region. We argue that the EU’s policies come with three flaws. First, the EU has failed to
significantly increase engagement in conflict resolution in the region. Second, even though there were
considerable concerns over the rule of law in some of the South Caucasus countries, the EU has refrained
from using political conditionality. Third, the EU has focused on wide-scale export of EU standards, which
raises questions concerning the EU’s acquis capacity to serve as a blueprint for development in these post-
Soviet countries.
South Caucasus policy. The EU has since the 2000s developed differentiated policies for the three countries.
We ask to what extent this differentiation supports the EU goals of strengthening impact and visibility
in the region. We argue that the EU’s policies come with three flaws. First, the EU has failed to
significantly increase engagement in conflict resolution in the region. Second, even though there were
considerable concerns over the rule of law in some of the South Caucasus countries, the EU has refrained
from using political conditionality. Third, the EU has focused on wide-scale export of EU standards, which
raises questions concerning the EU’s acquis capacity to serve as a blueprint for development in these post-
Soviet countries.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SEPS - Global Democratic Governance
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
CAIRN.INFO
Volume
2018/1
Number
385
Start page
7
End page
25
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
257267