The Joint Commission

Abstract

When diplomatic breakthroughs in relations between hostile parties have been made on a narrow but important front (for example on a ceasefire and mutual withdrawal of forces) but the improvement is insufficient to support a full normalisation, it is now common for existing channels of communication to be supplemented — and in some cases replaced — by one or more ‘joint commissions’. These bodies are standing committees composed of representatives of the hostile parties and also, sometimes, ‘observers’ from states or other entities that have been involved in any mediation of the conflict. The commissions generally have a formal focus confined to the issues upon which agreement in principle has been reached, but are sometimes employed for communication on other subjects of mutual interest as well.