The EU’s Engagement in Conflict Resolution, Prevention and Mediation: A Framework

Philip de Man, Gustavo Müller & Andriy Tyushka

This working paper advances an analytical framework to study the European Union’s engagement in interconnected areas of conflict prevention, mediation and resolution. In so doing, it first explores the different theoretical understandings of conflict prevention, mediation and resolution, including what could and should pass as a case of ‘successful involvement’.

Secondly, it conceptualises the EU’s ‘capacity to act’ across the spectrum of conflict and crisis management as both an ability to act collectively and coherently as well as an often-overlooked ability to pursue specific goals of such an engagement. Thirdly, it surveys varied instances of the EU’s engagement in managing nearby and far-away conflicts and crises, with a focus on CSDP missions.

This paper argues that, in the full cycle of conflict management, the EU’s actions in conflict prevention, mediation and resolution are inherently overlapping but not always complementary. Therefore, greater coherence and joined-up action across policy areas and across European Union institutions – but also across different phases of conflict/crisis – is yet to be ensured. Coordination of the Union’s actions with external partners before, during and after intervention in a conflict or crisis is of crucial importance as well.

In addition, the study suggests that the early warning systems (EWS) and foresight, as regards both the methodology and institutional as well as national capacities, are being – and can be even further – embedded in distinct EU institutions and policies of conflict management and, in particular, of conflict prevention.

Further in-depth case studies on the EU’s engagement in conflict prevention, mediation and resolution shall consider in particular: (a) the rationale of the EU’s engagement in a specific conflict/crisis situation (i.e. the type of a conflict/crisis and the applicability of the lessons learnt); (b) the EU’s capacity to act in a specific crisis/conflict situation, its pursued goals and interests, the desired end-states, and the chosen strategic and operational approaches and instruments; (c) the Union’s goal-attainment parameters (i.e. whether the EU institutions and the Member States, acting in concert, delivered on the agreed agenda and initial expectations, and how the EU’s performance has been perceived by the affected parties and partners).