PSIA Faculty and Graduates Produce Joint Research on Armenia’s Integration Perspectives

2 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia – On December 18, 2014, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) program presented their research project entitled, “Integration vs. Security: Revisiting Armenia’s Decision to Join the Customs Union.” The research was conducted with the support of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

The team of researchers was headed by Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, PSIA visiting Senior Lecturer, and was comprised of two recent graduates of AUA’s PSIA program, Anna Drnoian and Narek Mkrtchyan, as well as Tigran Yepremyan from Yerevan State University.

The study comes in response to the September 3, 2013 decision by the Armenian government to join the Customs Union and participate in the process of the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. The study offers a number of explanations to that political decision as well as provides some policy recommendations that could help to address the deficiencies that exist in Armenia’s domestic and foreign policy making practices.

The study was conducted within the framework of the project “Research Beyond the Ivory Tower: Policy and Communications Training for University Teams,” sponsored by NUPI with the aim of increasing the capacity of university professionals in the South Caucasus and Central Asia to participate in and set the agenda for public debate. Overall, the project received 65 applications from 8 countries, of which only 10 university-based research teams were selected.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

Vahram Ter-Matevosyan (left) headed the team of researchers

The American University of Armenia (AUA) Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) program presented their research project entitled, “Integration vs. Security: Revisiting Armenia’s Decision to Join the Customs Union”