Ofelya Sargsyan Boeken

To read, to inform, to learn - this is the purpose of this new LIBERTAS Paper, which can be used for university studies, by students, scientists, and above all by everybody who wants to inform him/herself about the European Union. It contains articles about EU Foreign and Defence Policy, with many examples of also external aspects of traditional domestic policies, and it shows that the EU needs more common foreign policy than less. Another article covers the OCTs - the overseas countries and territories (spread over the globe and held by France, Denmark, Netherlands and the United Kingdom). The author shows an incredible multitude of communities - from Wallis & Futuna in the South Pacific until Aruba in the Caribbean. The Arctic region and its integration and relation to the EU is another chapter which becomes very topical in the moment. A second part of the booklet deals with methodological approaches for external soft power. with an overview on plurinational attempts in the EU and their „export capacity“ (e. g. Latin America), participatory democracy, and the role of non-State actors ensuring human security - with the example of South Sudan.

This book, an expanded version of a Master's thesis from the University of Flensburg, presents a comprehensive analysis of Armenia's potential membership in the European Union. Drawing on extensive sources, interviews, and empirical research, the author offers a thorough examination of the topic. Initially intending to document Armenia's gradual shift towards the EU, the author was taken aback by the Armenian Government's announcement to join the Russia-led Eurasian Customs Union in September 2013. This decision sparked intense debates within Armenian politics and civil society, leading to uncertainty ahead of the Vilnius Summit of the Eastern Partnership. The author argues that if Armenia aligns with the Customs Union and later the Eurasian Union, it may lead to economic drawbacks and a neglect of necessary reforms, ultimately fostering a backlash that could strengthen solidarity with Armenia's legitimate security interests and encourage a renewed approach towards the EU. The book highlights Armenia's historical ties to Europe, particularly in the 19th century, and advocates for a clear foreign policy towards Europe that does not conflict with its relations with Russia. It examines the geopolitical landscape, including the roles of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, and Georgia, while emphasizing that EU membership, though time-consuming, is a feasible goal for Armenia.