2016/09/22 by Chiara Loda · 1 voice · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #European Union Policy and Governance #European and International Law Studies #Post-Soviet Geopolitical Dynamics
paper · doi:10.1080/21599165.2016.1230545
openalex publication_date 2016/09/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/11/06
In September 2013, Armenia, after four years of negotiations, declared that it would join the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union. That caused the interruption of the Association Agreement (AA) talks with the European Union (EU). In contrast with the Ukrainian case, no massive protests followed. This (non)-dynamic is interesting for two reasons: (1) large popular protests took place in Armenia over time; and (2) Brussels is committed to the empowerment of a democratic Armenian civil society. This article argues that this lack of popular reaction is related to the limited incisiveness of the EU at the grassroots level and concludes that, when intervening in the European Neighbourhood, modalities of action and resources must be tailored around the specificity of the case.