EU does not care about Armenia yet, German political scientist says

German political scientist Alexander Rahr commented to Alpha News about his vision of the West-Armenia relationship.

According to the expert, the European Union does not care about Armenia yet.

“Armenia is now conducting cautious diplomacy towards the West. Armenia wants to see how much the European Union can help it or to give something in return for what Armenia can get from Russia.

Understanding the signals from the West, which say that Armenia should pivot away from Russia, Yerevan is indeed distancing itself from Moscow, but at the same time is doing everything not to sever relations with Russia. The fact that Armenia was not invited, unlike Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia, to the European Union proves that the European Union does not care about Armenia yet,” Rahr said.

According to Rahr, the West hopes that, unlike other countries, “little Armenia will listen to them.”

“In the eyes of French President Emmanuel Macron, Armenia is seen as an important tool of pressure on Russia in closing trade borders, isolating Russia, and throwing Russia out of world globalization. This is the goal pursued by the West. China, India, and Turkiye do not listen to the West, but little Armenia, as they hope in Paris, Berlin, or Brussels, will listen. But I think that Armenia will not agree to this.

For some time, Armenia, as it did before, will try to improve relations with the West to show Moscow that Yerevan does not want to be dependent only on Russia, but, as in previous decades, it will encounter significant restrictions on its activities. And, it seems to me, Armenia will simply come to the conclusion that it has no other choice but to remain in an alliance with Russia.

This is a historical choice that Armenia has made, so it will stick to it. But attempts to make friends with Europe will continue, which will surely irritate Moscow,” Rahr concluded.