On reasons behind Armenia’s integration choice: EU vis-a-vis Russia-led EEU
On reasons behind Armenia’s integration choice: EU vis-a-vis Russia-led EEU

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the challenges that Armenia faces in choosing between European and Eurasian integration projects. The EU and Russia-led Eurasian integration processes provide new framework to analyze Armenia’s integration choice through the small states theory. Particularly, the paper tries to conduct discussion on the key political factors that were behind the decision of President Serzh Sargsyan to join Russian led Customs Union and to take part in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. The article attempts to address the possible impacts of Ukrainian crisis on Armenia’s elite perception of regional security and reasons of the absence of Maidan scenario in Yerevan. In addition, the article takes into consideration the factor of Armenian Diaspora in Russia in explaining Armenia’s intention to join the Customs Union. For this case a useful perspective comes from cultural studies, par excellence Gramsci’s concept of hegemony, and one from International political economy, particularly neo-Gramscianism. This comprehensive perspective allows us better understand Armenia’s problems and prospectson the way to its aspirations of integration with the European Union.

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