Democratisation, modernisation and globalisation – The EU and the hard tasks facing the three South Caucasus nations

The European Union hopes to conclude Association Agreements with some, if not all, of the three South Caucasus countries by the end of this year. Over the last decade Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have engaged selectively with the mutually re-enforcing processes of modernisation, democratisation and globalisation. However, this selectiveness has seriously hampered the process of transition, and undermines efforts to secure for the three countries a privileged relationship with the European Union. Dennis Sammut argues that it is now time for change and reform to be embraced with enthusiasm.