Diplomacy

The editorial team of commonspace.eu continues to provide a forum for informed discussion on Europe and its neighbourhood. This week, we welcome Armenian political personality, Dr. Stepan Grigoryan, who reflects on his early entry into Armenian politics under the Iron Curtain, his firsthand experience of its collapse, and his ongoing efforts to combat election interference and propaganda through social media. The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections, expected to take place in June 2026, could either establish a path toward long-lasting diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan or risk derailing the peace process entirely, along with its hopes of deepening integration with Western political and economic spheres. Dr. Grigoryan warns of Kremlin conduits exploiting public anxieties of ongoing negotiations following the landmark peace agreement in August: “Rather than serving as a genuine national opposition… It is these political forces that disseminate fear and uncertainty within Armenian society regarding the ongoing peace process with Azerbaijan.” However, Stepan Grigoryan is optimistic. “I think the peace process with Azerbaijan will keep moving forward and Armenia will meet its goals with the EU, provided we don't face the kind of military force that Vladimir Solovyov has hinted at. (Read the full conversation with Dr. Grigoryan by clicking on the image).

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the "old order is not coming back" and urged fellow middle powers to come together in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "Middle powers must act together because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu," Carney said on Tuesday, adding that he believed powerful nations were using economic coercion to get what they want. He also affirmed Canada's support for Greenland, Denmark and the Nato alliance, drawing applause. "Great powers" are often defined as countries with permanent seats on United Nations Security Council - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States - which shows their economic and military dominance in the world. Middle powers, such as Canada, Australia, Argentina, South Korea and Brazil, are nations that still exert large influence in global politics, even though their economies are smaller. In his speech, Carney said the world is "in the midst of a rupture, not a transition". "Great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited," he said. He also said "Canada was amongst the first to hear the wake-up call" that geography and historic alliances no longer guaranteed security or prosperity. As a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), Canada stands firmly with Greenland and Denmark and supports "their unique right to determine Greenland's future", Carney said in his speech. "Our commitment to Article Five is unwavering," the prime minister added, referring to a clause in the Nato agreement that states an attack against one member state is considered an attack on all. (read the full speech of the Canadian prime minister at Davos by clicking the picture).