EU's Policy in the South Caucasus: Interests and Challenges

European neighborhood policy is a move in pursuit of mid-term strategic plan to which reflects the nature of relations with EU neighbors, depicting EU liaisons with this region. In such a context, the impossibility of EU membership by its neighbors due to deep internal and external problems on the one hand and security, political and economic interests of EU in such countries on the other have led to initiating European Neighborhood Policy. Therefore, EU has formulated European neighborhood policy in terms of bi-lateral relations with these countries in order to establish political and economic stability and development of South Caucasian countries based on European norms and standards. In addition to preserving stability and security of these countries, respecting values like freedom, democracy and human rights are aspects that EU takes into consideration in order to identify the extent of convergence with EU standards. In economic aspects, giving importance to South Caucasian transit routs for access to energy sources of the Caspian Sea region as well as enduring economic reforms based on market economy that creates transparency for investment of European companies in the region, are among interests of European Union. In terms of security issues, due to of Russian direct influence to take advantage of conflicts between these countries and the separatist movements the EU has reached a deadlock in seeking peaceful solutions for such conflicts, using diplomatic and economic means.