EU’s Conflict Resolution Capacity: the Cases of Cyprus and Israel/Palestine

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the role of international organisations in a conflict. In particular, it is examined the role of the EU in the Cyprus conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during the period 2005-2010. By using the theoretical model of Diez, Stetter and Albert regarding the four possible paths of EU involvement in a conflict (i.e. compulsory, enabling, connective and constructive), it is examined whether the EU has affected the aforementioned conflicts and if so, to what degree. In addition, they are discussed the circumstances under which EU’s impact has been positive, resulting in this way in the improvement of the parties’ relations, or negative which would therefore imply the escalation of the conflicts.