EU’S MEDIATION ROLE IN AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA CONFLICT AFTER SECOND KARABAKH WAR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32689/2523-4625-2022-4(64)-1Keywords:
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Karabakh, European Union, RussiaAbstract
The Second Karabakh War, broke out on 27 September 2020, is perceived an event changed the geopolitical scene in the South Caucasus. The stability in the region was challenged after the war. The mutual untrusty and regency of war requires a mediator for reaching peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The political powers in the South Caucasus initiate their own platforms for mediation to the conflict settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. European Union is one of the main powers which seen active in the peace process. The article covers the opportunities for the EU to mediate the relations between conflicted parties. For understanding EU’s role, we researched the theoretical background for mediation based on the indicators. Noting that Brussels is not the only actor, the potential of EU has been analyzed comparatively. The mediator should have motive for the peace between parties. Russia is interested to keep its military presence in the region. So that the continuation of the conflict could be beneficial to Moscow. However, Brussels needs the stability in the South Caucasus and the withdrawal of Russian military contingent. In order to reach these goals, the peace is in the interest of Brussels. In this context, EU’s activities in the South Caucasus face the geopolitical challenges from Russia. Especially after the war in Ukraine started in 2022, Kremlin chose harsh position against EU’s role, which is understood not as mediation but political domination in Russia. Kremlin’s aggressive policy in Eastern Europe alarmed Brussels to take serious actions. The range of activities shouldn’t be limited in Ukraine but also other conflicts in the regions surrounded Russia. Since the start of Karabakh conflict, Brussels stayed passive to the processes. However, after the Second Karabakh War, EU transformed its stance to active position. The recency of meetings between Baku and Brussels grew since 2021. EU seems more active player in negotiation process.
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