EU views Armenia in the context of geopolitical confrontation with Russia: Stevan Gajiс

Stevan Gajiс, Research Fellow at the Institute for European Studies, commented to Alpha News on the European Union’s attitude toward Armenia, the interests of Western countries in the region and Yerevan’s further rapprochement with European structures.

In the expert’s opinion, the EU’s policy toward Armenia is primarily linked to the West’s geopolitical interests and its confrontation with Russia. Gajic believes that the interests of Armenian society are not a priority for external players.

“The European Union, especially its current leadership, does not view Armenia in any way other than as part of its geopolitical game against Russia, first and foremost. Also, Armenia and Azerbaijan may be useful to Israel in its games and its prolonged war against Iran. So the interests of Armenian citizens matter to no one but the Armenian citizens themselves. That is why I believe Armenia is now going through a very difficult period,” the expert said.

According to Gajic, he observes similar processes in Serbia. The expert drew a parallel between the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh and the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, noting the differences in the legal status of these territories.

“I can say responsibly that a similar process took place in Serbia after Aleksandar Vucic came to power. Just as Pashinyan betrayed the Armenians of Karabakh, Vucic betrayed the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. The north of Kosovo passed step by step under the control of other authorities, whereas Serbian state structures had functioned there before. The situation is similar to Karabakh, not in terms of legal status, but in the essence of the processes. Serbia had control there, but in the end gave it up without even a fight,” Gajic said.

Gajic also spoke about Armenia’s European integration. In his view, the very process of rapprochement with European structures does not mean that the interests of Armenian society will be taken into account in decision-making.

“And here we are on an eternal European path, the whole point of which is simply to keep moving along it. I think the Armenians are also viewed with distrust, because Armenia, one might say, has been Russia’s ally for centuries, and this is perceived as the people’s civilizational choice. So I believe the West has no sincere desire to integrate Armenia with the interests of the Armenians themselves in mind. The process is of interest primarily to the authorities taking part in it, as well as to people who gain specific benefits from it. And it will stay this way until political change happens. Just like with us. We have had serious demonstrations for two years now, there will be elections on October 25, and there will be political change. But I think the same path awaits the Armenians, because otherwise this string of defeats will not end,” Gajic concluded.