To what extent is the EU an effective conflict resolution actor?

It is usual to evaluate EU actorness in different fields of action based on the requirements for EU actorness in general. There is hardly any work suggesting specific requirements for EU actorness in one of the fields of action. The aim of this paper is to open a new pathway in the European studies by introducing specific requirements for EU actorness in conflict resolution. New requirements for EU actorness in conflict resolution were drawn from the re-organized order of general requirements for EU actorness and conflict resolution theory. First, EU external influence capabilities were investigated. Then, these requirements were applied in the cases of the Macedonian and Georgian conflicts. In the end of each case, lessons were drawn for practical use. The result came in this paper is that while the EU meets the requirements of capabilities and recognition (partially) in both of the cases, it suffers from the absence of the convergence of the preferences of EU member states. In general, both the theoretical and empirical findings of this paper are new in their field and highlight many questions for further research.

Autorentext

Master of Arts, School of Social Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, Professional specialization: European Politics and Policy, December 2011Bachelor of Arts, Public Administration, The Academy of Public Administration, Baku, Professional specialization: International Relations, August 2010