Peacebuilding in the South Caucasus

1
Peace-building in the South Caucasus

• Edward Bell (Policy programme)
• Diana Klein (Regional programme)

2
Opportunities and costs

• Opportunities from 2006
• The region
• To lay stronger foundations for sustainable
  economic development better livelihood
  opportunities for more people
• To build on the benefits of the European
  Neighbourhood and the potential to be more
  integrated into the global economy
• The EU -
• To increase help for an improved social contract
  ( - a process which cannot be imposed from the
  outside)
• To motivate greater interest in regional peace
  and co-operation, thus increasing its own
  prosperity and security
• Costs if no progress in building peace
• Economic less dynamic markets, foregone
  prosperity
• Governance distracts from reform needs, risk of
  radical populism
• Regional Security spill-over, threats to energy
  supplies
• Human and cultural casualties, brain drain,
  image

3
International context

• Multiple interests and approaches
• US Promoting transformational development and
  national security interests
• Russia Historically the regional superpower and
  currently dominant in the politics of energy
• Turkey Politically pivotal and economically
  active
• Iran Influential as a trading partner and as an
  energy alternative.

4
National context in the region

• Decorative democracy
• Little public participation in policy making and
  implementation
• Opaque arena ( - in which civil society is a
  product and reflection of the political context)
• Economies of the region combination of war,
  shadow and coping economy
• Limited awareness of the potential economic peace
  dividends
• Obstacles posed by entrenched corruption
• Rule of Law too weak to counter those with vested
  interests in the status quo
• Risks arising from over-rapid liberalisation and
  formalisation

5
The conflicts

• Negative perceptions entrenched by media coverage
  and education systems
• Civil society also wary of, or hostile to,
  threats to their political aspirations
• Emotions manipulated by those interested in the
  status quo
• Authorities justify military spending over social
  spending

6
Areas for action

• Social contract
• Governance institutions of the executive
• Security sector (including justice)
• Effective parliaments and oversight bodies
• Civil society free to voice its views
• Local governance
• Economy and the business climate
• Local interactions including across conflict
  divides
• Economic opportunities (e.g. better access to
  credit)
• Rule of Law
• Local governance
• International trade
• N.B. without implying sovereigntyalso vital in
  the non-recognised.

7
EU engagement

• (i) Policy dialogue, (ii) incentives, (iii)
  assistance.
• Implementation, implementation, implementation
• Driven at the highest levelinternationally
• Monitoring and assessment
• Not just by the state
• Balance
• Must not reinforce isolation
• Must promote sense of mutual interest in peace
  and co-operation
• Local governance and local (and legal) economic
  opportunities the best places to start.
• Patience

8
Not just the state

• Civil society public watchdog, policy advocate
  and advisor, service provider, etc.
• It encompasses all the organisations and
  associations that exist outside of the state
  (including political parties) and the market.
• NGOs ( - but not just NGOs)
• Associations and trade unions
• Community groups even those with no social or
  political agenda
• Members of public active in public sphere but not
  through formal organisations
• Media, with its key role in sharing information
  and helping form public attitudes

9
Making progress

• Success will depend on how well international
  actors
• address deeply entrenched interests that attach
  to property, ideas, social advantage, prestige
  and traditional ways of doing things
• play to the strengths of multiple partners
  within recipient countries. Not all, by any
  stretch, are found in government.
• help change perceptions