Mediation in International Relations: Geneva International Discussion as Conflict Prevention Mechanism in Georgia

Tevdoradze Tevdoradze

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This master’s thesis deals with the GID status and its ambitions of conflict resolution. It will be discussed in this paper whether GID provides good offices or uses the siloed approach of conflict prevention that the World Bank pushed instituting the approach. The study aims to determine the type of conflict resolution GID uses, whether it is a tapestry of tools provided by the World Bank or does GID have developed its own approach. By finding out the key answers, it will clarify the main aims, ambitions, and goals of GID, as well as the strategy and tools chosen for reaching the goals. In the end, the combination of all gathered analyzes will give us the possibility to find out where GID is on the map of conflict resolution of Russia-Georgia war. It is in this paper, that I will critically analyze GID process and the roles and strategies of the mediators. It will be also important to note that the paper will examine GID whether it uses structural or procedural strategies of conflict prevention. The thesis also clarifies the attitudes of parties towards the institution. As a methodology, it uses case studies based on the desk research or conducted interviews with OSCE and GID officials, Russian scholars, or employees of MFA of Georgia. The time period chosen is from 2008, since the creation of GID till now. The topic was chosen because of very interesting fact, that since 2008 GID has unclear role in the negotiations between the conflicting sides and time after time, it changes the main aims, functions, and tools. At the end, despite the difficulties it shows, it is expected that GID is one of the novel tools World Bank constructs for conflict resolution, and it uses siloed approach of conflict prevention with long-term ambitions of conflict resolution. However, the attitude from Moscow or de-facto governments of occupied territories undermines the basis of agreements and the peace in the region, that makes it difficult for the GID to reach its aims.

Abstract:

This master’s thesis deals with the GID status and its ambitions of conflict resolution. It will be discussed in this paper whether GID provides good offices or uses the siloed approach of conflict prevention that the World Bank pushed instituting the approach. The study aims to determine the type of conflict resolution GID uses, whether it is a tapestry of tools provided by the World Bank or does GID have developed its own approach. By finding out the key answers, it will clarify the main aims, ambitions, and goals of GID, as well as the strategy and tools chosen for reaching the goals. In the end, the combination of all gathered analyzes will give us the possibility to find out where GID is on the map of conflict resolution of Russia-Georgia war. It is in this paper, that I will critically analyze GID process and the roles and strategies of the mediators. It will be also important to note that the paper will examine GID whether it uses structural or procedural strategies of conflict prevention. The thesis also clarifies the attitudes of parties towards the institution. As a methodology, it uses case studies based on the desk research or conducted interviews with OSCE and GID officials, Russian scholars, or employees of MFA of Georgia. The time period chosen is from 2008, since the creation of GID till now. The topic was chosen because of very interesting fact, that since 2008 GID has unclear role in the negotiations between the conflicting sides and time after time, it changes the main aims, functions, and tools. In the end, despite the difficulties it shows, it is expected that GID is one of the novel tools World Bank constructs for conflict resolution, and it uses siloed approach of conflict prevention with long-term ambitions of conflict resolution. However, the attitude from Moscow or de-facto governments of occupied territories undermines the basis of agreements and the peace in the region, that makes it difficult for the GID to reach its aims.

Keywords

GID, Georgia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Mediation, Siloed Prevention, World Bank, Conflict Resolution, IPRM, OSCE, EUMM

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 5. 2022

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 7. 6. 2022
• Supervisor: Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D.
• Reader: PhDr. Michal Kořan, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
International Relations and European Politics / International Relations and European Politics