CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2007
| Author | Arabidze, Irina |
|---|---|
| Title | The European Union Towards a New Periphery: The Evolution of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in the South Caucasus |
| Summary | Starting from the Treaty of Maastricht (1992), the European Union (EU) has institutionalized its commitment to develop the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), which later led to the incorporation of the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) within the structure of the Union. Accordingly, the above changes have equipped the EU with the necessary tools to get more actively engaged in promoting peace and stability within its immediate neighborhood. Yet, the decisions over whether or not to get involved are generally politically sensitive and entail careful selection of choices of engagement. The present thesis researches the evolution of the EU’s involvement in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia). The conducted research addresses the question why, even though faced with important incentives, the EU has been reluctant to enhance its presence and promote its role as an important participant in the security processes of the South Caucasus region. Contrasting neorealist thoughts with a constructivist worldview, it is argued that due to rational calculation of costs and benefits of engagement, non active involvement in the South Caucasus currently represents a cogent choice. The EU member states, as rational actors, engage in the South Caucasus to the extent which benefits them but the fact that obstacles hindering the engagement are greater than the gains, conditions the EU’s outlook towards the region. |
| Supervisor | Professor Michael Merlingen |
| Department | International Relations MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2007/arabidze_irina.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2021, Central European University