Analyst: Armenia must shed 'illusory Europe' to build real agenda

Political analyst Hakob Badalyan argues that Armenian society is heavily influenced by hybrid propaganda, with European narratives often carrying manipulative character.

According to him, this manipulation lies in overstating the EU’s motivations and capabilities, while ignoring its internal complexities and contradictions.

“It creates the illusion of the EU as a 'savior', which in turn distorts Armenia’s ability to form a genuine European agenda,” the analyst wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

“For Armenia to shape a real European agenda, it is crucial to get rid of the illusory Europe presented through mass propaganda,” Badalyan said. “You cannot build a realistic agenda on illusions. It must be based on a sober understanding of Europe’s actual situation, motives, capacities and internal problems.”

Otherwise, he warned that Armenia-EU relations risk becoming another “inflated balloon”, similar to past Armenian-Russian illusions, which will inevitably burst, with the smaller side suffering more damage.

“That is why, Armenia’s European agenda must be grounded in a clear understanding of the EU’s challenges, internal divisions and conflicting interests without self-deception,” Badalyan concluded.