Shaping Bridges : Perceptions of Western Engagement in the South Caucasus

Abstrakt

This paper makes a number of points about perceptions of the 'West' and Western engagement in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia). The first point is that perceptions of 'West' in the region have a history that goes beyond the post-Soviet period.

Secondly, the three countries articulate common metaphors, but relate differently to the West. Thirdly, there is a paradox between an un-precedended Western engagement in the last twenty years in these countries unmatched by a more secure, more democratic and more prosperous region.

Fourthly, in this paradoxical situation, its seems that the West, more precisely the EU, has benefited more in terms its own security and energy interests by engaging with the region.

Klíčová slova

• The West
• South Caucasus countries
• Western Engagement
• Perceptions