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Péter Pál Kránitz, a senior research fellow at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, said that the gathering of European leaders in Armenia in May will boost international confidence in the country, as well as in the peace process between Yerevan and Baku, which could strengthen and promote regional peace efforts.
Kránitz said this in an interview with Armenpress, referring to the significance of the European Political Community Summit and the first Armenia-EU Summit to be held in Yerevan in May.
The expert also noted that the first Armenia-EU Summit is important not only for Armenia, but also for other regional countries, including Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Russia.
-Mr. Kránitz, what political message does the holding of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan carry?
-The fact that the summit is taking place in Yerevan proves that Armenia and the South Caucasus is an integral part of the European neighborhood, it is a strong message from Europe that the European community has not left the region entirely and considers Armenia and other regional countries as a close partner and potential ally. At the same time, we need to be realistic, and realize that other than the summit’s strong symbolism, it will not change the regional balance of power and will not be a gamechanger in Armenia’s European perspective.
-How do you assess the historical significance of the first Armenia-EU Summit?
- The first Armenia-EU Summit is of a great significance, not only for Armenia, but Georgia and other regional countries, like Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Russia. If Armenia can strengthen its economic integration into European markets, it could contribute to the further development of Georgia’s European path too, and it could also give momentum to the further development of economic cooperation between the EU, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan. The summit is a strong message to Russia too – it showcases that all the economic and political contributions that Moscow provided for Armenia over the past decades was not enough, if Russia wants Armenia to be a stable economic partner within the Eurasian Economic Union it will need to offer more than simple markets.
-Can we say that this is a new stage on Armenia’s path to European integration?
-Absolutely, we can expect strong commitments from both Armenia and the European Union for economic and political cooperation, however, this does not mean that Armenia’s path to European integration will lead to full accession to the European markets. Geography will never change, physical, legal, and personal connectivity between Europe and Armenia will remain to be relatively low, compared to Armenia-Russia partnerships.
-What are the main areas where Armenia and the EU can deepen cooperation in the near future?
-One key area where European technology and capital could strengthen the Armenian economy’s resilience is energy, whereas it is a strategic sphere where significant dependencies limit Armenia’s room for maneuver in its external relations. European companies have a comprehensive toolkit to bolster alternative energy sources like hydro and geothermal energy, biomass, and also some green technologies from wind to solar. European companies could also contribute to the development of TRIPP corridor or share best practices in cross-border cooperation. Europe should be ready to import much more Armenian export items, like agricultural and alcoholic products, as they are high in quality – this needs licensing and joint efforts in marketing. Europe should be more engaged with Armenia’s fast-growing tech and service sector, while Armenia could develop even more its tourism infrastructures.
-How can this summit affect the security situation in the South Caucasus?
-The simple fact that European leaders gather in Armenia, at the direct vicinity of Iran, and prior to the ratification of the peace treaty with Azerbaijan, increases international trust in Armenia’s stability and the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process which in itself could strengthen and foster regional peace efforts.
-Can Armenia become an important transit or energy partner for the EU?
- Once the Eastern and Western borders of Armenia are open, Caspian energy could flow to Europe not only through Georgia, but Armenia too, which will diversify secure energy supply chains and even potentially increase the volume of trade, therefore Armenia might in the long term become a very important partner for the EU’s energy security.