The Inaugural Conference, which took place at the AUA on May 3, 2013, intended to mark the nomination of Dr. Syuzanna Vasilyan as Jean Monnet Chair of European Studies at the American University of Armenia (AUA). Besides highlighting the importance of teaching and research in European Union (EU) Studies as a relatively novel field of academic inquiry, the conference focused on the role played by the EU and its member-states in Armenia since the 1990s and Armenia’s own efforts made for ‘integration with’ the Union.
AUA President Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian gave the introductory remarks, in which he emphasized the importance of the title of Jean Monnet Chair of European Studies granted to Dr. Syuzanna Vasilyan by the European Union. Specifically, he mentioned the existence of joint projects at AUA with its EU counterparts, the faculty’s European connections, his own experience as a scholar based in the UK and France, and Dr. Vasilyan’s credentials as a PhD Candidate at Ghent University in Belgium, a visiting doctoral researcher at the European University Institute in Italy, a Visiting Professor at the Central European University in Hungary, and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Padova in Italy.
Program Chair of the Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) Program Dr. Douglas Shumavon also spoke, stressing that as a result of the successful application submitted by Dr. Syuzanna Vasilyan, courses such as European Integration, European Neighbourhood Policy, and EU and the World have become regular offerings in the PSIA curriculum.
His Excellency Henry Renault, Ambassador of France, referred to France’s contribution as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the economic cooperation between France and Armenia, as well as the cultural ties. The Ambassador highlighted Jean Monnet’s vision of Europe, stating that the birth of Europe marked by the Schuman Declaration stands out as a testimony to Jean Monnet’s master plan aimed at fostering peace on the European continent. In the words of the Ambassador, “the EU is a unique project: it has been moving slowly but it has been moving forward.”
Mr. Onno Simons, Head of the Political, Economic, Press and Information Section, Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, stated that in the past three to four years, Armenia has made concrete steps through the signing of the Mobility Partnership, the Visa Facilitation Agreement and Readmission Agreement, which should lead to visa liberalization. According to Mr. Simons, by the Vilnius Summit of the Eastern Partnership, Armenia will have finalized the political part of the negotiations over the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will be completed. He also spoke about the Jean Monnet program, mentioning that the Commission intends to develop a Jean Monnet label of excellence, which may appeal to AUA too.
His Excellency Mr. Jonathan Aves, Ambassador of the United Kingdom, spoke about the relations between the United Kingdom and Armenia by singling out the main policy priorities—notably, fostering stability and security, human rights and democracy, prosperity and commercial ties, as well as reaching out to the partners in the Eastern neighbourhood to facilitate integration with the EU. The Ambassador emphasized that he and his wife are working towards that end as team Ambassadors.
Mr. Mher Margaryan, Head of the European Union Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, spoke about the growing relations between Armenia and the EU as based on shared values. He singled out the EU as a major partner for Armenia, which solidified its relations through the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the European Neighbourhood Policy, and the Eastern Partnership. Mr. Margaryan referred to the Association Agreement and the DCFTA, Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements, Mobility Partnership and enhanced sectoral cooperation as marks of progress. The Human Rights Dialogue and the Civil Society Platform were singled out as important for facilitating democratic reforms in the country. In conclusion, he characterized the nature of the relations as all-encompassing, stating that Armenia is determined to proceed further.
Dr. Syuzanna Vasilyan, Jean Monnet Chair of European Studies and Assistant Professor in AUA’s Political Science and International Affairs program, delivered a lecture on the EU as an ‘actor’/‘player’/‘power’, which has grown from six to then soon-to-be twenty eight member-states, having been ascribed the image of an ‘elephant,’ ‘lion,’ and/or ‘worm’. She dwelt on the importance of teaching EU studies as a multi-disciplinary field and then expanded on the EU’s policy towards the South Caucasus, depicting how the EU has boosted its role in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia since the 1990s. Dr. Vasilyan elaborated on the EU’s policy by drawing on various policy domains, namely, democracy promotion, trade and energy sectors, conflict resolution, security, regionalization, as well as external legitimacy of the Union by dissecting the policies towards the three South Caucasian countries and delineating the instruments, projects, and programs targeted at specific partners. Most importantly, she offered analytical branding and framing, not least, by referring to the conceptual framework of ‘moral power,’ which she has developed in her research.
All the speakers congratulated Dr. Vasilyan and AUA for the Jean Monnet Chair title. Questions were asked by the conference participants representing the AUA community and civil society in Armenia. Dr. Vasilyan extended gratitude to all for participation in the event.
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