By Dimitrios Triantaphyllou and Yannis Tsantoulis
Abstract
Forming part of a ‘new neighbourhood’ and at the same time caught in a proximity/distance paradox, the Black Sea region is one of the very few regions where greater EU involvement in conflict resolution has been both sought and opposed.
Overall, the EU involvement in the region so far typifies a capability-expectations gap case. However, the current significance of the region for the EU outweighs any considerations of geography or its institutional timetable since the region presents a number of significant security challenges that characterise the post-Cold War period and constitute a threat for the stability and prosperity of Europe, including, among others, the conundrum of energy security and separatist movements. If the question that arose before the Georgian crisis of August 2008 was whether the EU could play a significant role, the crucial question now is how to play that enhanced role. Strengthening the Union’s position is of vital importance and it requires a coherent strategy entailing a number of key characteristics such as: a single voice, an enhanced Black Sea Synergy, physical presence, creation of a Contact Group, working with Russia (‘soft power’ diplomacy), drafting a strategy with the US and last but not least strengthening the ‘Europeanisation’ project in the region.
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№11(27), 2008