WEASA peer-to-peer story of Sossi Tatikyan: what to learn from Serbia 

The Armenian alumna Sossi Tatikyan  embarked on a meaningful study visit to Serbia, driven by four interwoven objectives that bridged her academic research and policy expertise. Her primary focus was to explore Serbian perspectives on the Kosovo conflict, a cornerstone of her PhD thesis. Simultaneously, she sought to understand Serbia’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations—unpacking public attitudes toward EU integration and NATO membership and drawing lessons for Armenia’s own European path. 

Her third goal was to analyze Serbia’s foreign policy in the Southern Caucasus, particularly its growing partnership with Azerbaijan and its implications for Armenia. Finally, she aimed to foster dialogue between Serbian and Armenian analysts, setting the stage for future collaboration between think tanks from both regions. 

She was hosted by our Serbian alumnus Marco Todorovic, Fellow of the European Policy Centre CEP of Serbia. Thanks to his connections, Sossi had a series of thought-provoking meetings with experts and think tanks, and gathered invaluable insights. She uncovered diverse views on Kosovo, European integration, and NATO, shaping her understanding of Serbia’s political landscape. These findings would enrich her PhD thesis and inspire two policy articles: one on Armenia’s European integration lessons from the Balkans, and another on how regional narratives influence bilateral relations. 

Beyond analysis, Sossi envisioned lasting connections. Her trip laid the groundwork for a potential joint event between Serbian and Armenian think tanks by 2025, turning dialogue into action. 

Through her study visit, Sossi not only deepened her understanding of Serbia but also built enlarged her professional and academic network  paving the way for shared growth between two distinct regions. 

We would like to thank Marco and all parties involved to facilitate Sossi in her academic research. We would also like to wish Sossi good luck in her PhD!