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.

Autorentext

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.

Inhalt
1 Introduction
1.1The EU's Emergence as an International Mediator1.2Delimiting EU Mediation in Theory and Practice1.3Research on EU Mediation and the Main Contribution of the Book1.4A Comparative Case Study Approach1.5Introducing the Cases of EU Mediation1.6Organisation of the Book
2 EU Mediation Effectiveness: an Analytical Framework2.1Conceptualisation of EU Mediation Effectiveness2.2Theorising the Conditions of EU Mediation Effectiveness2.3Delimiting the Boundaries of the Analytical Framework
3The EU as a Mediator in the Conflict over Montenegro's Independence3.1Mediation Format and Setting3.2The EU's Effectiveness as a Mediator3.3Conditions of EU Mediation Effectiveness3.4Explaining EU Mediation Effectiveness in the Conflict over Montenegro's Independence
4The EU as a Mediator in the Kosovo-Serbia Conflict4.1Mediation Format and Setting4.2 The EU's Effectiveness as a Mediator4.3Conditions of EU Mediation Effectiveness4.4Explaining EU Mediation Effectiveness in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue
5The EU as a Co-Mediator in the Geneva International Discussions on South Ossetia and Abkhazia5.1Mediation Format and Setting5.2The EU's Effectiveness as a Mediator5.3Conditions of EU Mediation Effectiveness5.4Explaining EU Mediation Effectiveness in the Geneva International Discussions
6Conclusions6.1 Cross-case Comparison and Causal Inferences6.2Interpretation of Main Findings and Implications for Research6.3Theoretical and Methodological Reflections6.4Policy Recommendations6.5Studying EU Mediation: The Way Forward
Annex