CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VIII (2) ContEurVIII2 | Page 38

MANE BABAJANYAN Armenia’s previous and current governments have sought to deepen the cooperation with the EU with the help of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in November 2017. The document is still in the process of ratification by the 28 EU member- states (13 EU countries and Armenia have ratified it so far). 78 For Armenia, an actual obstacle in the relations with its northern neighbor is the growing Turkish and Azerbaijani presence in Georgia. Much has been spoken and written about the undisguised intention of Turkey and Azerbaijan to isolate Armenia in the South Caucasus through their cooperation with Georgia in regional projects. Turkish-Azerbaijani influence in Georgia increases day by day and creates potential threats for both Armenians living there and the Republic of Armenia itself. A notable incident took place in February 2019 when a group of Azerbaijanis initiated a protest in front of the Georgian Parliament against the rededication of the statue of Miqayel Avagyan, an Armenian fighter during the Karabakh War that was inaugurated the previous month in Bughashen, a village located near Akhalkalaki. Some Georgian activists also participated in the demonstration. The protesters were demanding that Georgian authorities dismantle the statue. According to them, Avagyan was a “separatist” who took part not only in the Karabagh War but also in the Abkhaz War. 79 Some Armenian sources mention that this protest was initiated intentionally by Azerbaijani authorities to provoke tensions between Armenia and Georgia, especially in the territory of Javakhk. 80 Another disturbing episode of the Turkish-Azerbaijani presence in Georgia occurred quite recently, April 24, 2019. April 24 th is the commemoration day of the Armenian Genocide, which Armenians in                                                                                                                                        http://www.epnk.org/sites/default/files/page- files/pub_8568_armeniasvelvetrevolution.pdf. 78 “The Swedish parliament ratifies CEPA between Armenia and EU”, Arka.am, May 3, 2019, http://arka.am/en/news/politics/sweden_parliament_ratifies_cepa_between_armenia_and_ eu/. 79 “Vrastani Adrbejantsinery Pahanjum en Apamontazhel Miqayel Avagyani Kisandrin [Georgia’s Azerbaijanis Demand the Demolition of Miqayel Avagyan’s Statue]”, 168.am, February 8, 2019, https://blog.168.am/blog/200058.html. 80 “Adrbejani Npataky Hay-Vratsakan Bakhum Hrahreln e [Azerbaijan’s Goal is Provoking an Armenian-Georgian Clash]”, Panorama.am, February 9, 2019, https://www.panorama.am/am/news/2019/02/09/%D4%B1%D5%A4%D6%80%D5%A2 %D5%A5%D5%BB%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB- %D5%B6%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A8/2070744. 38