3280) Spillovers From Arab Revolts Is Armenia Next In Line Hrant Kostanyan 2011

The recent cycle of revolutions in Arab countries has caught policy-makers and experts off guard. The decades-long kleptocracy, systemic corruption, economic stagnation and censorship are merely some of named causes accounting for the shake-up of the old order in Europe’s Southern Neighbourhood. The choices that citizens were deprived of making through the ballot box have been accomplished by taking to the streets. Policy-makers and analysts are contemplating the possible scenarios for the countries that have finally brought down their dictators. EU leaders are debating support they can provide to help in the establishment of ‘good governance.’ Meanwhile questions are being asked about the possible implications of the successful revolutions beyond the Arab world and especially for the EU’s Eastern neighbours. In his recent speech, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, stated: “Although recent developments concentrated our political attention to the South, we certainly cannot afford to forget about the Union’s Eastern neighbourhood.” ..



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