Abstract
Abstract This article examines UN–EU cooperation over peace mediation. It compares their conceptual approaches to peace mediation and the evolution of their institutional capacities, demonstrating that the EU has learned from the UN, while actively supporting the strengthening of UN mediation capacity. The most important difference concerns the embeddedness of mediation in a broader foreign policy agenda in the case of the EU compared to the UN. The article also examines models of EU–UN cooperation in mediation practice. Drawing on an overview of cases of UN–EU cooperation, the article develops a typology of the constellations through which the two organizations have engaged with and supported each other. A case study on the Geneva International Discussions on South Ossetia and Abkhazia investigates the effectiveness of this coordination. The findings point to a high degree of effectiveness, although this has not yet translated into tangible mediation outcomes.
Highlights
Contemporary international mediation has become increasingly crowded and complex, with the proliferation of external actors such as states, international and regional organizations, NGOs, and individuals serving as mediators (Lanz & Gasser 2013)
We focus on the case of the Geneva International Discussions – a case of United Nations (UN)–European Union (EU) co-mediation together with the OSCE
The findings show that UN–EU coordination occurs at multiple levels – at the level of UN/External Action Service (EEAS) headquarters staff, their regional bureaus, the level of co-chairs, and at the level of staff members of the UN and EU Special Representatives participating in the Geneva International Discussions (GID)
Summary
High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change calls for dedicated UN mediation support capacity. 2006 Creation of Mediation Support Unit (MSU) and roster of mediation experts. 2008 Creation of UN Standby Team of Senior Report on the Implementation of the European. Security Strategy (ESS) calls for an expansion of EU mediation and dialogue capacities. 2009 Publication of Report of the Secretary- Adoption of the Concept on Strengthening EU. General’s on enhancing mediation and Mediation and Dialogue Capacities
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