Krikorian: Brussels meeting was symbolic

The meeting between representatives of Armenia, the European Union and the United States in Brussels was more symbolic than an immediate game changer in the peace process between Baku and Yerevan, UK journalist Onnik Krikorian told Report.

“I think it’s best to say that we probably still need time to assess past the declarative statements but that it seems many had overly high expectations from it. That seems to be backed up by a subdued reaction so far from even those that can be considered pro-EU domestically and abroad,” he said.

“I am a little concerned in particular about what could be construed as EU and US support for Pashinyan’s “Corridors of Peace” given that it risks being turned into a geopolitical project that includes some actors but omits others in the region. Time will tell.

The other issue is that the event might have led to even more expectations from West in Yerevan that could potentially delay normalization. However, it should be stressed that the reaction remains muted in Armenia apart from in the opposition media who claim that both Pashinyan and some of the members of his party were disappointed by the outcome of the meeting.

They expected more but didn’t get it. Still, it could also be considered that it at least represented some support for Pashinyan as he faces increasing if still minimal opposition at home. That could prove helpful to him if he were to return the Gazakh villages by spinning the Brussels meeting as a great success.”