Do European Union countries support Georgia and Armenia aspirations to join the EU?Do they perceive Armenia and Georgia as European countries?

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by Smooth_Vehicle_2764

47 comments

  7. Not with their relationships with Russia (talking about Georgia). We don’t need another Troyan horse. We have Hungary, Austria and Slovakia already

  8. Georgia if they get rid of their current government yes.

    Armenia is a bit harder to answer – from one side it makes just as much sense as Georgia, but on the other hand, the country and the people feel much more eastern and less “european” even if they are extra friendly with France

  9. For me eventually, but I think we need to slow it down and wait for alignment with EU values. I also think there should be a way to expel a country before we expand further. We have seen with Hungary for example democratic backsliding that is inconsistent with EU membership and there should be a way to remove a country who clearly no longer wants to be a member based on their actions.

  10. Yes. I don’t know about the perception of “European countries”. I personally rather see them as Caucasian countries- caught somewhere between “the clash of the titans”. Very unfortunate geographical position with very bad neighbors 🥺🥺

  11. I don’t really see them as European, more like bordering states that are not too different from the rest of Europe to join, so they could imo. But I’m not informed enough how they are doing economically and stuff like corruption, freedom of speech etc.

  12. Turks would likely support the EU’s expansion into the Caucasus, as it could strengthen Turkey’s aspirations to join the EU one day. A democratic, progressive, secular, and prosperous Caucasus would also mean one less problem in the east for Turkey.

  13. No thanks. current government is horrible and a russian lapdog.

  14. Personally no . To me you are more Asian than European. But that’s just me.

  17. I don’t think they’re ready to join yet. But they should surely be considered Europe. I don’t see why Georgia especially should be considered anything other than Europe

  19. I would argue that most people probably don’t view Armenia and Georgia as European countries due to geography. The Black Sea is one of the natural borders on the outskirts of Europe that works as a barrier separating Europe from Asia. Though I don’t think these countries, along with Azerbaijan, are really considered a part of the Middle East either. They’re kind of in their own separate category between Turkey, Russia and the Middle East.

  20. As a yerevan slav, whose relatives live both in EU countries and in Russia, I can safely say that according to my observations, you will not find a more Europeanized people than armenians, in the countries ex-ussr. Very religious christians, capitalistic, liberal-conservative, people striving for education and science, in global politic – real-politic style, in everyday psychology – modernists/traditionalists. Many people are trilingual and have a good command of Armenian, English and Russian, the first two being unequivocally better than the last, however strange this may sound; however trilingualism is the minimum norm for many armenians. In short, the complete package of a eu european. Special priority is given to the development of the army and defense. The closest analogies that come to my mind when I think of armenians are the french, italians and poles. By accepting Armenia into the EU, the EU receives the extreme outpost of Euro-Atlantic democracy in the South-East of Europe, the border with Iran and most importantly – by all indicators, the most democratic country in the Caucasus, keep this in mind.

  21. Having lived in Georgia for 9 years and having visited Armenia many times I would say definitely not. There is very little in common between much of the EU now and Georgia is even less. They are also very poor and there is a massive gulf between EU values and Georgia that would cause constant problems with very little if any benefit.

  22. This gives off a troll farm vibes.

    For anyone that doesn’t know, pro kremlin forces try to make us Georgians and Armenians feel like “Europeans don’t even like you” to create sense of disappointment and defeat so they can later introduce the idea of “see Europe don’t want you so you should side with Russia”. It works on many people.

    The idea is not about if we’ll join EU or not, it’s about do we want to have western values or be a puppet to a bully.

    Also average redditor doesn’t understand the significance of us joining EU and how useful we could be to EU.

    From a Georgian perspective it looks like this:
    After we left Soviet Union and started building our country, while we were learning how to walk pro Russian forces did their best to convince us “you won’t be able to run” so it creates nihilism that Putin loves since he can take advantage of that.

    Regardless of if we will join EU or not, we will work towards becoming western society with western values since that’s where we feel like home the most

  23. Every decent human being in the world deserves to be as far away from Russian influence as possible.

  24. Not really European imo, Armenia shares a border with Iran. Only because of Christianity and geopolitics is this even being mooted

  25. Long term optimistic yes, short term absolutely no. Given the current geopolitics in this region these two are liabilities. First I would first like to see the EU install more safeguards to protect the union from sabotage by compromised members.

  26. You will probably get as many opinions as there are Europeans.

    Of course, since the Caucasus is literally in the borderlands between Europe and Asia, there’s no black or white answer.

    The question is more if the European Union should be a union purely based on geography, or if it should take in members from outside the geographical area most people would consider Europe. I personally wouldn’t mind the EU taking in non-European (in a geographical context) members, as long as they uphold the EU standards for human rights, gender equality, etc.

    But only after implementing ways to prevent subversion from within by members that move away from those ideals, as of course Hungary has exposed the weaknesses in the current setup.

  27. Our histories are connected but our people are not. Just based on logistics alone, the EU would need a rock solid relationship with Turkey OR Russia before they could include Georgia and Armenia.

    It’s a trade union first and foremost, no point being in it if your neighbours can stop the flow of trade.

  28. Don’t know much about Armenia but with Georgia‘s anti queer politics and pro Russian attitude I personally don’t want them in the EU.

  29. They should join if they want to and meet the conditions i guess, but i don’t personally see them as European countries. But then maybe they have more of European mentality and lifestyle idk, we learn and know a lot less about them than the actual European countries. But again if they want to join i wouldn’t really have a problem with that if my country was a member.

  30. >Do European Union countries support Georgia and Armenia aspirations to join the EU?

    Not at the moment.

    Politically unstable. Conflicts with their neighbours. Corruption. Weak democracy.

  31. I do consider them European and I do eventually want them to join the EU, but I also want them to fully commit to the values they have to uphold once they join and don’t want the EU to rush things. Of course I also hold the opinion that we should properly aid them on their way, both finanically and politically.

  32. EU is going through enlargement fatigue. I believe it is simply impossible to continue expanding the union with V
    veto rights continuing to exist.

    If anyone thinks you can infinitely expand and maintain a balance with the veto vote, you’re stupid.

    It has served it’s initial purpose and we are not Americans that have the same amendments for hundreds of years, we need to update and abolish this, then we can talk about expansion.

  33. Honestly, i wouldn’t know where to find them on a map and i was surprised at the question as this implies they are european countries. 

    Without meaning disrespect to these countries, the eu has problems enough with the different cultures already. A larger geographical spread just means larger cultural differences as well. And I don’t think that’s good for the eu atm. 

  34. Until we have legislation in place that allows for the expungement of rule breakers, no.

  35. For me if you want to belong to/with/in Europe , and you are willing to respect others , their/our views, and our different ways of lives you are welcome. Just please do not expect us to change for any religion or unreasonanle quasi-morality. And do not go around demanding that any person should adhere to your particular way of life. Once in Europe you are free to do anything that will not infringe on the rights of others. That is your limit. You can suggest but do not demand.

  36. No it is not and I don’t think that everyone should join the EU.

  37. Yes, but not with pro-Russian governments. Many Lithuanians feel disappointed with Georgia that turned to be pro-Russian after decades of us unconditionally supporting it.

  38. The europe need to modify his institution before any other intégration since actualy a single country couob block the other.

    But i’m deeply in favor of armenia in the eu and georgia also if we do not grant them the possibolity of blocking everyone on russian topic

  39. I sympathise a lot with Georgia and Armenia. To me, they are definitely European countries and could potentially join the EU in the future.

    Sadly, both countries are riddled with problems, corruption and, very unfortunately, are involved in armed conflicts with their neighbours or are partly occupied.

    Both countries experience a generational gap, whereby the younger generations are much more westernised, liberal and pro-EU/pro-democracy and the older generations are partly still stuck in old Soviet ways and partly pro-Russian. It is an unfortunate situation that creates a lot of tension. But I very much hope it will change in the future.

    When I travelled the region both Georgians and Armenians were very welcoming and very friendly. Both countries have very rich cultures that date back for thousands of years. I feel a lot of sympathy for the people there because the situation is none of their doing and they are, somehow, prisoners of their Soviet past and of geography.

  40. Close relations yes, but I don’t see these countries as European.

  44. Yes, it would be reasonable and beneficial to tighten up our relationship. But the EU has to rethink itself to remain efficient while expanding first

  45. Haven’t we got enough barely democratic countries who sabotage decisions whenever possible? Before anybody else is admitted the EU has to reform its decision making process

  46. European. No. That’s a geographical definition.

    Welcome to the EU. Most definetly. ❤️

  47. Are they aligned to our values? Are they ok with divorce, abortion and LGBTQ+ rights?

    If not, they can stay where they are. EU membership isn’t a godsent right. You got to earn it.

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