Representation of the European Commission in Germany, Berlin

 

This event aims to present the WOSCAP research results with specific focus on the case studies of Ukraine and Mali. And to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to international capacities for coordinated and inclusive mediation support, from the comparative perspective of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the German Foreign Ministry.

 

The event will address the following guiding questions:

 

1) What are the guiding principles for third-party multi-track mediation (support) by the EU and its key member state Germany?

 

2) What internal and external constraints and opportunities (may) influence their ability to engage as credible and effective third-parties in conflict-affected states?

 

3) What instruments are used or developed to enhance their institutional capacity for whole-of-society (i.e. coordinated and inclusive) mediation support?

 

The following reflections will guide the discussion:

 

- There are appropriate guidelines in place for EU to implement ‘WOS' mediation and dialogue, but effective implementation requires adequate internal incentives and capacities (for example, to increase institutional memory, staff expertise on inclusive mediation, etc).

 

- There seem to be lost opportunities for more active EU support for increasing inclusivity at the negotiation table, especially where it would have more leverage power i.e. in its immediate neighbourhood (examples: Mali/Yemen vs. Ukraine/Georgia)

 

- German as a key member state plays a double role when involved in international diplomacy (on its own + as EU representative): need for well-synchronised and coordinated intervention for more intra-EU coherence. If not, EU loses ‘muscle power' (such as the ‘stick' of sanctions against dialogue-‘spoilers' like Russia) and misses' opportunities for proactive early preventive diplomacy.