Conclusions

Abstract

The European Union (EU) has long been described as one of the most successful models of conflict resolution the world has ever known. As a security community Europe has experienced an unprecedented period of peace and stability since the Second World War and there is no doubt that European integration and enlargement — the processes of deepening and widening — have been crucial to this ‘civilised’ environment. Since the end of the Cold War and the concomitant enlargement of the EU and subsequent attempts to develop a European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), the EU’s contribution to conflict resolution and the transformation of border conflicts has faced immense challenges.

Europe may not have a magic wand that can solve all crises but we have proved that it is possible to build a stable and democratic continent. It is this prospect that now unites us in the Balkans…Gives hope to Greek-Turkish relations and creates a common vision for Greek and Turkish Cypriots (Papandreou, 2003)