The European Union needs to reaffirm its commitment to peace in the South Caucasus, reads an article published on The National Interest, Report informs.
The author of the article notes that throughout the more than thirty-year-long Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the European Union has positioned itself as a mediator in the peace process. However, in his opinion, in several cases, Brussels has made mistakes, acting more as Armenia’s protector than as an impartial mediator.
“The European Union has been reluctant to assert or protect its interests in the Caucasus. When it does, the region does not see it as a reliable mediator,” reads the article.
The article also emphasizes that if the EU truly strives to achieve sustainable peace in the region, its leadership should exert influence on official Yerevan, calling on the Armenian authorities to carry out constitutional reform and remove from the Basic Law provisions containing territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
“The last major hurdle to peace remains Armenia’s constitutional territorial claim to Azerbaijani territory. Removing it will require a referendum,” reads the article, adding that Brussels should use leverage to ensure Pashinyan follows through on the peace process.
The author notes that the United States has recently succeeded in strengthening its position in the South Caucasus: “Washington succeeded where Brussels had not because it focused on the practical steps needed to reach an agreement, rather than appearing to be invested in one side’s cause.”
The current situation offers the EU a “rare opportunity” to advance its own strategic interests in the South Caucasus. However, it is noted that the EU too often lacks the credibility to lead mediation.