Armenia in the Eurasian Economic Union: reasons for joining and its consequences |
| |
Authors: | Vahram Ter-Matevosyan Anna Drnoian Narek Mkrtchyan Tigran Yepremyan |
| |
Institution: | 1. College of Humanities and Social Sciences, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia;2. Political Science and International Affairs, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia;3. Department of History, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia |
| |
Abstract: | On 3 September 2013, the president of Armenia shifted the long-praised process of initialing political association and economic integration with the European Union and announced Armenia’s decision to join the Russia-led Customs Union and participate in the processes of formation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Practitioners and observers interpreted it either as a U-turn or as a surprise move mainly assuming that what happened was the result of Russian pressure on Armenia. However, when tensions and uncertainty eased, it became obvious that what happened was a result of complex reasons. Geopolitical constraints and socio-political problems that had accumulated in Armenia during recent years coincided with an assertive expansion of Russia’s foreign policy. This research provides a number of explanations for that political decision to understand the primary determinants of that move. It also examines the political and economic implications of Armenia’s membership of the EAEU. |
| |
Keywords: | Armenia Russia European Union Eurasian Economic Union Eastern Partnership security |
|
|