Increasing EU engagement in the South Caucasus

The South Caucasus is heavily influenced by Russia, followed by the European Union (EU), Turkey and the United States (US). Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, together with these external actors, constitute a dense web of interdependent relationships involving governance and values; security and conflict; and trade and energy. The tensions between the EU/US and Russia are further entrenching these interdependencies and hampering development in the South Caucasus. More cooperation is needed between the EU, US and Turkey. Inertia on their part risks losing influence to a more assertive Russia, which seeks to remain the dominant force in the region