The EU’s Role in ‘Transforming’ Conflict in the Neighborhood: Multilateralism and the Eastern Partnership

Although the European Neighbourhood Policy contains a conflict prevention dimension, the outbreak of conflict in Georgia demonstrated the extent to which this dimension was underdeveloped at best, and completely ineffective, at worst. This article critically assesses the potential contribution that the Eastern Partnership initiative, and in particular its multilateral approach, can make to the EU’s impact on creating a climate that is conducive to reconciliation and long-term stability. It is argued that the multilateral approach within the Eastern Partnership certainly offers ‘new’ potential for long-term transformation. However, it also asserts that to be effective it must address some fundamental weaknesses within its multilateral and bilateral governance mode.