About the Book
The European Union (EU) is widely recognized as the most advanced model of regional integration. Far less attention, however, has been paid to its role as a regionalizing actor—projecting its regional logic outward and making regionalization a pillar of foreign policy. In this capacity, the EU pursues a twofold approach: clustering states into shared policy frameworks for efficiency, while also promoting cooperation inspired by its own integration experience. This book examines how these dynamics unfold in the post-Soviet South Caucasus—Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Here, “region” is less an organic reality than a political construction: Regional identity is contested, historical disputes continue to shape inter-state relations, foreign policy trajectories diverge, and the area is subject to competing external influences. By analyzing how regionalization is embedded in the EU’s foreign policy instruments, and tracing its evolution over time, the study identifies recurring patterns and develops a conceptual framework for understanding the EU’s regionalization practices, with insights from the South Caucasus potentially extending to other contested regions.
About the Author :
Dr. Tatia Dolidze is Associate Professor and Head of the International Relations program at European University, Georgia, where she leads a Jean Monnet Action on EU enlargement. She is active in COST, Horizon, and Erasmus+ projects, serves on the PfPC South Caucasus Working Group, and is a state-appointed expert for HEI authorization and program accreditation. With over a decade of experience, her career spans academia, government, think tanks, and international organizations across Georgia, the EU, and the US. Her research focuses on EU foreign policy toward the Eastern Neighbourhood, South Caucasus regional affairs, and the Europeanization of higher education. She holds a BA in International Relations (cum laude) from Tbilisi State University, an MA in European Studies (cum laude) from Maastricht University, and a PhD in European Studies (magna cum laude) from the Institute of European Studies at TSU. She is trained and certified in public policy analysis, national security, leadership and strategic communication. Dr. Steven Blockmans is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (Brussels) and the International Centre for Defence and Security (Tallinn), a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe, and Editor-in-Chief of the European Foreign Affairs Review.
Review :
This is a timely and much-needed contribution to the study of the EU’s foreign policy. It stands out by applying a regionalization lens to a geographical area where regionalization is inherently difficult due to entrenched geopolitical tensions. With analytical clarity and theoretical depth, it unpacks the EU’s evolving strategy and offers a novel framework for understanding its dual role as actor and model. A must-read for scholars of European integration, foreign policy, and regionalism.
—Heidrun Maurer, Senior Scientist, Department for European Integration Research, University for Continuing Education Krems, Austria.
In the context of a rapidly transforming geopolitical order, it is more important than ever to get a rigorous understanding of the instruments and practices of the EU’s external regionalisation policies. This innovative and comprehensive study on EU policy in the South Caucasus is essential reading for scholars, policy-makers and anyone eager to understand Europe’s evolving role and influence.
—Sophie Vanhoonacker, Chair in Administrative Governance and Jean Monnet Professor, Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
Tatia Dolidze’s book makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the EU’s foreign policy practices in the South Caucasus, advancing the study of its regionalisation policy. This is an important work for those seeking to understand the evolution of the EU’s policy towards the three states of the South Caucasus and the complexity of the region.
—Tracey German, Professor of Conflict and Security, King’s College London, the United Kingdom.
A groundbreaking study and an indispensable resource for scholars and policymakers alike studying the South Caucasus. This work combines rigorous content analysis with nuanced theoretical insights to illuminate the EU’s adaptive and multi-faceted regionalization strategy, offering a profound understanding of how the Union navigates complex geopolitical realities while fostering regional cooperation and aligning its actions with core values.
—Kornely Kakachia, Professor of Political Science, Jean Monnet Chair, Director of the Georgian Institute of Politics, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
The timing and theme of this book are perfect. As the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict moves toward resolution, it provides valuable insight into the EU’s role in South Caucasus regional affairs, with implications for future policy.
—Michael Emerson, Senior Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Brussels.
