Conflict Management in Georgia
Opportunities and Obligations for the EU
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
For 20 years, a conflict over the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has been smouldering in Georgia. After the open civil war from 1990 to 1995, the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe sought to mediate between the parties to the conflict. The United States wanted to strengthen Georgia vis-à-vis its powerful neighbour Russia. The August 2008 war between Georgia and Russia has changed the situation considerably. The OSCE and the UN had to withdraw their missions; the United States curtailed its engagement. This is the European Union’s hour. As the only international broker on site, it has an obligation to prevent renewed escalation. The EU has the unique opportunity to realise the goals of its eastern policy and to establish itself as a regional player of some weight in the Southern Caucasus.
(Osteuropa 2/2012, pp. 135–159)