MACMILLAN The European Union as International Mediator: Brokering Stability and Peace in the Neighbourhood (Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics)

This book explores the EU’s effectiveness as an international mediator and provides a comparative analysis of EU mediation through three case studies: the conflict over Montenegro’s independence, the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and the Geneva International Discussions on South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The book starts from the observation that the EU has emerged as an important international provider of mediation in various conflicts around the world. Against this background, the author develops an analytical framework to investigate EU mediation effectiveness that is then applied to the three cases. The main finding of the book is that EU mediation has a stabilising effect on conflict dynamics, making renewed escalation less likely and contributing to the settlement of conflict issues. At the same time, the EU’s effectiveness depends primarily on its ability to influence the conflict parties’ willingness to compromise through conditionality and diplomatic pressure. Review “The European Union as International Mediator is a convincing assessment of the EU’s mediation effectiveness as part of the EU’s foreign and security policy. … Rich in detail and supported by more than 70 interviews, the cases are comprehensive and interesting to read … .” (Karin Göldner-Ebenthal and Beatrix Austin, S+F Sicherheit und Frieden, Vol. 37 (3), 2019) Review “This is a superb study of an under-appreciated and under-analysed aspect of the EU’s role in conflict management. The case studies are rich in detail and the conclusions drawn from the analysis of EU practice are judicious. The book is a must-read for all analysts and practitioners interested in the developing foreign and security policy of the EU.” (Richard G. Whitman, Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent, UK) “In this timely and innovative book, Julian Bergmann provides the first comparative analysis of the EU’s effectiveness as an international mediator. It is an empirically rich and compelling account of the EU’s stabilising role in its neighbourhood by focusing on the cases of Montenegro’s independence, the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue and South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It provides a key resource for both scholars and practitioners seeking to better understand the key factors that shape the EU’s mediation role in peace negotiations.” (Ana E. Juncos, Professor of European Politics, University of Bristol, UK) From the Back Cover This book explores the EU’s effectiveness as an international mediator and provides a comparative analysis of EU mediation through three case studies: the conflict over Montenegro’s independence, the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and the Geneva International Discussions on South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The book starts from the observation that the EU has emerged as an important international provider of mediation in various conflicts around the world. Against this background, the author develops an analytical framework to investigate EU mediation effectiveness that is then applied to the three cases. The main finding of the book is that EU mediation has a stabilising effect on conflict dynamics, making renewed escalation less likely and contributing to the settlement of conflict issues. At the same time, the EU’s effectiveness depends primarily on its ability to influence the conflict parties’ willingness to compromise through conditionality and diplomatic pressure. Julian Bergmann is a researcher at the German Development Institute (Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik, DIE), Germany. His research focusses on EU policy (foreign, development, security), international mediation, and the security-development nexus. About the Author Julian Bergmann is a researcher at the German Development Institute/ Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), Germany. His research focusses on EU policy (foreign, development, s