ABSTRACT
The chapter provides the empirical core of this book: the analysis of EU activities in Abkhazia. It begins by clarifying precisely what the EU policy of engagement without recognition towards Abkhazia is, how it was developed, and what its objectives are. Based on these objectives, it develops a detailed analytical framework to assess the results of the policy. This framework guides the detailed analysis of its practical implementation on the ground. The analysis covers the direct and indirect activities of various EU actors, key (former) member states, and critical non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Abkhazia. In this way, the chapter aims to paint a realistic, detailed, and comprehensive picture of EU engagement in Abkhazia that spans three levels: EU institutions and actors, member states, and civil society. Moreover, the chapter summarises and structures the empirical evidence and explores its meaning and implications in relation to the three guiding research questions. It will become clear that despite practical EU engagement in Abkhazia being much more far-reaching, both quantitatively and qualitatively, than generally assumed in the literature, the results are sobering in many respects.
