ABSTRACT
That the EU has a global ambition to contribute to conflict resolution is clearly stated in its security strategy and many other EU foreign policy documents. It is no less clear that the EU has a capabilities-expectations gap (Hill 1993), where real EU foreign policy actions have not managed to catch up with the EU’s rhetoric and declared ambitions. This book has examined one of the many grey areas where EU rhetoric does not match reality – EU policy toward secessionist conflicts in the eastern neighbourhood. The conflicts in this region are important enough for the EU to pay attention, but not important enough to pursue strong EU foreign policy actions like in the Balkans. This book addressed some issues related to EU impact on conflict management patterns, but it primarily analysed the politics of EU involvement and non-involvement in conflict settlement issues and drew some theoretical lessons about the EU as a foreign policy actor. The book has showed how EU institutions seek to increase their role in conflict settlement efforts in EU’s neighbourhood through a policy of stealth intervention that sought to advance EU conflict management priorities in the face of often sceptical or divided EU member states.
