In an interview with Radio France Internationale, RSC Director Richard Giragosian comments on the flawed decision by the Armenian president to forego the opportunity to initial an Association Agreement with the European Union. Giragosian pointed out that “even beyond the strategic blunder and missed opportunity that the Armenian decision demonstrates, the move also reveals a deeper deficiency in the decision-making process, which in this case, was conducted with no real study or analysis of the implications and reflected a flagrant disregard for either sound public policy or serious public opinion.” The RFI interview, broadcast in French, was the lead in to a story focusing on the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit, but part of a larger segment on Syrian refugees in Europe.

http://www.rfi.fr/emission/20131127-refugies-syriens-mais-fait-europe

In a largely unexpected development, on September 3, 2013 Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian announced a dramatic U-turn in Armenian policy. While in Moscow, after being summoned to a meeting with his Russian counterpart, the Armenian president promised Russian officials that Armenia would join the Russian-led "Customs Union," and would support Moscow's efforts to "integrate" the former Soviet space. That decision effectively ended Armenia's planned "initialing" of an Association Agreement and related Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the European Union set for the Vilnius Summit in late November 2013.

http://www.ge.boell.org/web/110-1601.html

Do you like to be challenged? Do you enjoy learning? Then join us on Tuesday, 17 December for the long-awaited start of the Winter 2013 Session of the RSC “Expert School,” featuring innovative and interactive workshops and simulation exercises. 

We will be offering two special training workshops on Tuesday, 17 December, and on Thursday, 19 December, from 19:00-21:00. The opening week will start with an introductory orientation and a two-part session on “Research, Writing and Critical Analysis,” with an interactive seminar based on current developments in the region.

 Please note our new venue: we will be meeting in the RSC Conference Room, located on the fourth floor of the Griar Business Center, at 4/6 Amiryan Street in Yerevan. For more information, email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Regional Studies Center (RSC) at: 060 56 09 10.

The following is a brief excerpt from a recent RSC interview with China’s Xinhua News Agency, with a special thanks to Vahe S. Boyajian for facilitating and translating the interview.

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In an Armenian-language interview, RSC Director Richard Giragosian assessed the status of Armenia and the Russian-led "Customs Union."

http://nyut.am/archives/79459