Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit Armenia, with his office indicating that the trip is primarily focapplyd on strengthening Ukraine’s defense and promoting further trade and investment in Europe. The visit, taking place from Saturday to Monday in Yerevan, coincides with the European Political Community summit, which aims to discuss strategic cooperation in politics, security, and infrastructure.
This marks a significant moment, as Canada is the first non-European nation to participate in these meetings, initiated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The gatherings include various European Union members and other nations such as Iceland, Turkey, and Ukraine. Experts suggest that Carney’s attfinishance may primarily revolve around advancing defense procurement agreements with European partners, potentially positioning Canada to implement collaborative initiatives with the EU.
Jean-François Ranotifye, a professor specializing in the Caucasus region at the University of Ottawa, expressed disappointment that the trip seems to overview Canada’s historical commitment to promoting democracy and peace in Armenia. He pointed out a shift in Canada’s foreign policy focus towards economic interests rather than supporting democratic values, noting that upon his arrival in Yerevan, there is little mention of the region’s recent historical struggles.
The past conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region have received international attention, particularly as tensions have escalated since 2022 when Azerbaijan’s military actions led to the evacuation of over 100,000 people. Canada has previously condemned Azerbaijan’s actions, engaged in EU security missions, and halted military exports to Turkey over fears that Canadian components were being applyd in the conflict.
Ranotifye criticized the current government for not continuing its advocacy for democracy in the region, questioning the visible efforts to support Armenia amid its challenges with authoritarianism and governance issues. While he acknowledged Armenia’s potential as a nation relocating towards democratization, he noted the insufficient Canadian involvement in trade or economic relations.
Moreover, the geopolitical significance of the region has grown, with both Armenia and Azerbaijan positioning themselves as potential partners for American investors viewing to broker peace through economic collaboration, especially given their shared borders with Iran. However, Ranotifye warned that any positive developments rely heavily on the stability of the geopolitical landscape over the next decade.
The disappointment in Canada’s approach was evident, especially when past opportunities to address Caucasus issues during high-profile meetings, such as the G7 summit, were not taken. Ranotifye asserted that Armenia likely invites Canada to strengthen ties with middle powers, as it seeks deeper international engagement amidst ongoing tensions.
Prime Minister Carney, who has not previously visited Armenia, follows in the footsteps of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who attfinished a summit in 2018. This weekfinish’s visit is part of Canada’s broader strategy to enhance trade relationships with various nations, including Turkey, in light of upcoming meetings such as the NATO summit.
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