France's Approaches to Territorial Disputes Settlement

Abstract

The article explores France's territorial disputes in Europe and beyond (in French overseas territories), as well as disputes settlement approaches adopted by Paris. The author outlines the historical background of the disputes and the motives of France to allocate significant funds in order to maintain high-cost overseas territories, some of them are disputed by regional countries. In Europe France relies on both bilateral mechanisms and EU instruments to settle disputes. The French territorial disagreements with other countries remain more acute overseas. Paris promotes a method of gradual settlement based on the idea that the joint development of disputed areas allows to mitigate contradictions and to create conditions for a long-term territorial settlement. The French overseas Department of Mayotte as a special territorial case is outlined. The Union of the Comoros claims are supported by the UN. The French rationale for retaining Mayotte as part of France despite the UN decision is based on the results of several referendums, when the island's residents voted for this idea.