Eu Foreign Policy and Post-soviet Conflicts: Stealth Intervention

`The present book provides the ultimate guide to the EU's performance in conflict management in the post-Soviet space. This is not a book written based on research in a warm office. Nicu Popescu has criss-crossed the conflict regions. The book shows in minute detail how much the EU has progressed in becoming a conflict management actor, but also how difficult and contradictory that process still is.'

Martti Ahtissart, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Finland

`United Europe is going through a turbulent yet extremely challenging and exciting period, which requires strengthening the role of the Union as a capable player on the international stage, promoting peace, security and stability and protecting the European values and interests. In fulfilling these ambitions, the EU should undoubtedly start from its Neighbourhood, making best use of the new possibilities offered by the Lisbon Treaty. Nicu Popescu urges for stronger angagement of the EU with persisting security problems, especially in the South Caucasus. I could hardly disagree with the necessity to do more in this region. We should start by an enhanced confidence-building process, implementing specific well-conceived, well-targated projects, Nicu Popescu's book offers an excellent starting point for this debate.'

Nikolay Mladenov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria

`A successful EU foreign policy can only start with successful policies in the neighbourhood. This book shows in detail the successes and failures of EU foreign policy in the EU's Eastern neighbourhood and persuasively argues that the EU can only become a global power if it is able to tackle effectively problems in its immediate vicinity. The post-Soviet conflicts are a key test for the EU's foreign policy ambitions.'

Ion Sturza, former Prime Minister of Moldova

`The 2008 war in Georgia and the sudden loss of impetus to NATO expansion in the region have demonstrated the dangers of a security vacuum in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Nicu Popescu is uniquely well qualified to examine whether the EU can fill the gap.'

Andrew Wilson, Reader in Ukrainian Studies, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London
Nicu Popescu is senior research fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations in London.