Research Papers

The South Caucasus is one of the regions surrounding the European Union (EU). The three South Caucasian republics are among the addressees of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). At the same time the region is one of Russia’s historic zones of influence. It is not a mere case of vicinity or neighbourhood, but one of centuries of shared history. Most recently Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, comprising the South Caucasian region, were part of the Soviet Union, the legacy of which they are yet to overcome. Russia has a strong presence therein, albeit it is expressed in a different way in relation to each of the states. The successful engagement of the EU with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, namely within the ENP, will depend inter alia on the role Russia plays in this process. Within this context the paper proposes to analyse the current state of relations between the EU and the South Caucasian region within the ENP. In particular the paper will focus on the creation of regional cooperation as one of the aims of the ENP in the South Caucasus. The EU’s relations with Russia will be discussed to identify whether the EU perceives the Russian factor as a significant one in the achievement of ENP objectives. Russia’s position towards the EU’s endeavours in the South Caucasus will also be discussed within the paper.