Version 2.0: Rebooting the EU’s International Mediation Role

Abstract

In 2009 the EU adopted the Concept on Strengthening EU Mediation and Dialogue Capacities, its first-ever strategic document focusing specifically on mediation. Reflecting on past experiences in mediation engagements, the Concept provided an important impetus for further institutionalising the EU’s capacities in mediation and providing some systematic guidelines for EU mediation activities. Ten years after its adoption, the EU’s concept and practices of mediation need revisiting. Building on research findings produced by the UACES-funded EU as International Mediator research network, this policy brief reflects on the EU’s experiences in international mediation and provides concrete policy recommendations that could feed into a strategic update of the 2009 Concept.