Europe is getting closer
A country emerges from Moscow’s shadow
OpinionA guest article by Jakob Wöllenstein, Konrad Adenauer Foundation
May 3, 2026 – 6:18 p.mReading time: 4 minutes
The EU shows its flag in the South Caucasus and sends a special mission to protect the landmark elections in Armenia. The Kremlin probably won’t like that.
“Whether you are European or Asian ultimately depends on how you feel and behave,” a teacher warned his class in ethnically mixed Baku on the eve of the First World War. The question of identity in this fictional opening monologue from Kurban Said’s famous Caucasus novel “Ali and Nino” has lost little of its relevance, although from today’s perspective one would like to add: “… and whether you are also seen and accepted as such by other Europeans.”
In the South Caucasus, where cultures, empires and religions have met, sometimes peacefully and sometimes violently, for thousands of years, the question of belonging is currently becoming more explosive – especially in the Republic of Armenia. The Christian country with an area and population like Brandenburg has been looking for new orientation since it lost the Nagorno-Karabakh region three years ago as a result of an Azerbaijani military offensive, which permanently shook trust in the previous de facto protecting power, Russia.
The government’s offer under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is clear and ambitious: a clean sweep of the past, reconciliation with the overpowering, previously hostile Muslim neighbors Azerbaijan and Turkey, opening the country to a hub between Asia and Europe with the support of the Americans and rapprochement with the EU with the long-term goal of accession. But although the majority of Armenians support the idea in principle, full membership is a long way off – and the “waiting room” is already well filled.
In Brussels and the member states, people are aware of the frustration that sometimes arises in the candidate countries of Eastern and Southeastern Europe over the accession process, which is often perceived as a technocratic limbo. As a response to this and under the impression of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new pan-European mega-format was created four years ago on the initiative of Emmanuel Macron: the European Political Community.
Since then, up to 46 European heads of state and government – all except Russia and the Vatican – as well as organizations such as the OSCE and NATO have met twice a year to discuss common strategically important issues, such as energy, trade, migration, but also security. Yerevan will host for the first time on May 4th. Five hours’ flight from Brussels, but less than 50 kilometers as the crow flies from Iran, which is at war, this is a sign of European solidarity that should not be underestimated. But it’s about more than symbolism.
