| SUMMARY OF EUROPEAN UNION MEDIATION SERVICE PROPOSAL |
That a professional and politically supported international mediation service should be created under the auspices of the European Union, comprising recognised experts in mediation and conflict prevention, ready instantly to offer mediation expertise in cases of conflicts involving European Union member states, their neighboring states, and any European, Mediterranean or Atlantic state that wishes to join the mediation service as Associates members. Only full members of the European Union are eligible for full membership of the E.U. Mediation Service. The EUMS would be brought into being by special treaty of member nations of the E.U. It would be staffed by a secretariat based in the EU, and financed by a sufficient budget made available through the E.U. It should be based in Venice as the most appropriate headquarters. The Purpose of the E.U. Mediation Service would be to have available a team of expert mediation professionals, trained to the very highest professional standards, to be drawn on by the EU and by the rotating Presidency of the E.U. in case of international crises affecting any European country, especially European Union member countries. MEMBERSHIP Associate membership would be open to all other European, Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Atlantic nations: Types of disputes: Among the following types of disputes could be referred to the EUMS: inter-state disputes: and intra-state disputes: Right of referral: All member (and Associate) states of the EUMS would have the right of referral for disputes to the EUMS. The EUMS would be a service available for all EU citizens, who would also have the right to refer cases, through appropriate protocols. Success / Failure - outcomes of cases referred: In the event of one party refusing to take up the offer of mediation, and another party accepting the offer, the case would remain live until such time as both parties had accepted mediation. RESEARCH OFFICE FOR THE WORK OF THE EUMS: In addition to the work of the Panel of Mediators, each country would also nominate a staff of Research Officers Liaison with Other organisations: active liaison would be maintained between the staff of the EUMS and concerned religious, political, civil, professional and NGO groups throughout Europe and beyond. RELATIONSHIP with Military Alliances: The EUMS would occupy a different professional space to military organisations, always seeking non-violent resolution of conflicts through dialogue and mediation. OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: The two working languages of the EUMS would be English and French. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER NON EUMS MEMBER COUNTRIES: Other countries internationally experiencing conflict, either intra-state or inter-state would also have the opportunity to refer their own disputes for settling within the framework of the EUMS. INCENTIVES FOR DEVELOPING THE EU. MEDIATION SERVICE: the incentives to facilitate a genuine atmosphere of peace and conciliation across Europe and its neighbouring regions are many and various, both for EU and non EU member countries. STATUS OF EUMS: The Chairman of the Panel of Mediators in each member country and would have Cabinet rank in each member country. BUDGET OF THE EUMS: The budget of the EUMS would derive from central EU funds and would be commensurate with the grave responsibility of preserving and building peace between and on the periphery of existing EU territories, The total income of the EUMS would be fixed at 1% of the total military expenditure of each member country of the EUMS scheme in sum. TIMESCALE: 2009 – Immediate drafting of protocols and pragmatic and technical and operational feasibility, including drafting of Governing Treaty for the EUMS BACKGROUND TO PROPOSAL: This policy document originates from a specialist peace research institute in the UK which deals with peace studies, conflict resolution, and the philosophical analysis of the world situation and international affairs. Policy Document Author (from whom full text can be obtained): Dr. Thomas Clough Daffern B.A. (Hons.) PGCE, D.Sc. (Hons) Mailing address: International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy, |