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Mediating International Conflicts: The European Union as an Effective Peacemaker?

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  • Julian Bergmann
  • Arne Niemann

Abstract

This article examines how the EU's effectiveness as a mediator in peace negotiations can be appropriately conceptualized and analysed. Mediator effectiveness is analysed along two dimensions: goal‐attainment and conflict settlement. Investigation of the conditions of mediator effectiveness is structured around four key sets of variables: mediator leverage, mediation strategy, coherence and the conflict's context. In our empirical analysis of EU mediation between Serbia and Kosovo (Belgrade–Pristina dialogue) we find that the medium degree of EU effectiveness (both in terms of goal‐attainment and conflict settlement) can be explained by its great leverage vis‐à‐vis the conflict parties due to their EU membership aspirations and its strategy of a mix of manipulation and formulation that draws on this leverage to move parties toward agreement through the use of positive incentives. A limited degree of EU coherence and spoiler problems in Northern Kosovo seem to have had a constraining influence on EU effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Julian Bergmann & Arne Niemann, 2015. "Mediating International Conflicts: The European Union as an Effective Peacemaker?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(5), pages 957-975, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:53:y:2015:i:5:p:957-975
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.12254
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meunier, Sophie, 2000. "What Single Voice? European Institutions and EU–U.S. Trade Negotiations," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 54(1), pages 103-135, January.
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    3. Daniel C. Thomas, 2012. "Still Punching below Its Weight? Coherence and Effectiveness in European Union Foreign Policy," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(3), pages 457-474, May.
    4. Natalie Tocci, 2008. "The EU and Conflict Resolution in Turkey and Georgia: Hindering EU Potential Through the Political Management of Contractual Relations," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46, pages 875-897, September.
    5. Kyle C. Beardsley & David M. Quinn & Bidisha Biswas & Jonathan Wilkenfeld, 2006. "Mediation Style and Crisis Outcomes," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 50(1), pages 58-86, February.
    6. Martijn L.P. Groenleer & Louise G. Van Schaik, 2007. "United We Stand? The European Union's International Actorness in the Cases of the International Criminal Court and the Kyoto Protocol," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45, pages 969-998, December.
    7. Natalie Tocci, 2008. "The EU and Conflict Resolution in Turkey and Georgia: Hindering EU Potential Through the Political Management of Contractual Relations," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(4), pages 875-897, September.
    8. Marieke Kleiboer, 1996. "Understanding Success and Failure of International Mediation," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 40(2), pages 360-389, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Natalie C. Brandenburg, 2017. "EU Mediation as an Assemblage of Practices: Introducing a New Approach to the Study of EU Conflict Resolution," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(5), pages 993-1008, September.
    2. Krenar Gashi, 2021. "Simulated Power and the Power of Simulations: The European Union in the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(2), pages 206-221, March.

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