ABSTRACT
The chapter analyses the conflict system around Abkhazia, which represents one of the central context conditions for engagement without recognition. It first traces the roots of the antagonism between Georgians and Abkhaz and reviews the main stages and dynamics of that antagonism to provide the reader with information on the still influential historical context. The chapter also provides insights into the economic and political situation in Abkhazia. This information is vital to put the EU’s engagement in perspective to the situation on the ground. The third focus in this chapter is on the breakdown of the conflict system. Here, the analysis shows that the deadlocked conflict over Abkhazia is a complex and dynamic multilevel conflict involving many different actors, including the EU, on at least four interconnected levels. It will become clear which impact the conflict context in and around a given de facto state has on the implementation of engagement without recognition.
