Based upon an analysis of official documents and elite’s narratives, as well as interviews conducted in Armenia between 2015 and 2018, the study seeks to account for the foreign implications of the domestic political change in Armenia. It will focus specifically on the challenges of achieving a Russian-European balance, as well as on breaking the logjam in the troubled neighborhood.

In sum, the study will address the following research questions: First, what are the determining factors behind the continuity in Armenia’s foreign policy and its unwavering centrality in the Russia-led socio-political order? Second, what are the implications of the Russian “authoritarian diffusion” for post-revolution Armenia? Third, what is the relationship between domestic change and the dynamics of Europeanization in Armenia? Last but not least, what are the implications of the “Velvet Revolution” for Armenia’s relations with neighboring Azerbaijan and Turkey?

This research explores the shifting priorities of the European Union toward the South Caucasus, focusing specifically on the role of energy diversification in shaping EU policies.
As the EU seeks to reduce dependence on Russian gas and Middle Eastern oil, the South Caucasus has emerged as a strategic corridor for transporting energy resources from the
Caspian Basin to Europe. Driven by the European Security Strategy (ESS), the EU’s engagement in the region reflects its broader goals of securing energy supply routes and diversifying sources. Although the ESS references the South Caucasus only briefly, priorities such as energy security, conflict mitigation, and addressing illicit activities highlight the region’s increasing significance.
This research examines how the EU’s energy diversification efforts influence its shifting policies toward the South Caucasus and assesses the broader implications for regional geopolitics and intergovernmental relations.