(007) CAN THE EU WIN THE PEACE IN GEORGIA? - Popescu, Nicu; Leonard, Mark; Wilson, Andrew (ECFR European Council on Foreign Relations, 2008)
The EU has established itself as the main diplomatic broker in the conﬂict between Russia and Georgia. It should use this position to help forge a positive peace from a war which threatens the foundations of the European security order. Russia has used its conﬂict with Georgia to display its military power, reclaim a sphere of inﬂuence and frighten its neighbours. Rather than looking for punitive measures, the EU should respond to Russia's demonstration of force with much stronger engagement for democracy, prosperity and security in the broader region - keeping tough measures towards Moscow on the table if Russia resists.This war was caused in part by the dysfunctionality of the previous 'peace-keeping' process in Georgia. The EU must work hard towards ensuring that any new arrangements are not unilateral and do not merely legitimate Russia's de facto control. The EU should promote an international peace-keeping mission and offer to deploy a civilian reconstruction mission dealing with development, building conﬁdence and security between both sides, and tackling wider political issues. It should also encourage the United Nations to set up a commission of enquiry to help establish the truth on the causes and conduct of the war.Instead of focusing on short-term sanctions against Russia, the EU should move quickly to raise its proﬁle in the Eastern Neighbourhood and to help stabilise other conﬂict regions - paying attention both to old 'frozen' conﬂicts and potential new ﬂashpoints. The EU should also make a special commitment to Ukraine: It should recognise its right to EU membership in the future, agree to a more liberal visa regime, offer a solidarity clause backing Ukraine's territorial integrity, and move to integrate Ukraine into the EU's energy market