Armenia Sees New Global Role

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that the South Caucasus region is getting a 'totally new global role' due to peace and convergence in the region. This new role is driven by the establishment of relations between countries in the region, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, which will open up regional infrastructure connectivity.

According to Pashinyan, Armenia's strategy is to diversify and balance its foreign relations to pursue its national interests. This approach is crucial in the current political and economic momentum in the South Caucasus. The region's countries have common interests and can have common views and strategies, despite their differences.

The South Caucasus region is becoming increasingly important globally, particularly in the context of the global supply chain crisis. The region's project, which includes peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and cooperation between Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, brings a new opportunity for addressing the global supply chain crisis.

The Central Asia region is also gaining importance globally, with the establishment of the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) corridor, a new global trade route. This corridor will connect countries such as those in the European Union, China, the Middle East, and Africa.

In light of these developments, Pashinyan announced Armenia's strategic interest in applying for EU membership. However, this move may put Armenia's membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union at risk, as it is not possible to be a member of both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union simultaneously.

## Why it matters The South Caucasus region's new global role has significant implications for the region's countries and the global economy. The establishment of regional infrastructure connectivity and the development of new trade routes can help address the global supply chain crisis. Armenia's interest in EU membership also reflects the country's desire to diversify its foreign relations and pursue its national interests.

The outcome of Armenia's potential EU membership application will be closely watched, given the country's current membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. The development of the TRIPP corridor and the growth of the Central Asia region will also be important to monitor, as they have the potential to reshape global trade routes and economic relationships.