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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Negotiation & Summit Language

Mediation

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/nounCommon term

In international relations & diplomacy, mediation means: An effort by a neutral third party, such as a state, organisation or individual, to help the sides in a dispute reach an agreement without imposing a solution.

In Turkish: arabuluculuk

How it is used

A third party offers, accepts or leads mediation; the person is a 'mediator' and the verb is 'mediate'. Mediation is softer than arbitration, in which a third party gives a decision. 'Good offices' is an even lighter form in which the third party only helps the sides talk.

Example sentences

  1. Both governments accepted mediation by a regional organisation.

  2. The talks took place under the mediation of a neutral country.

  3. Mediation efforts have so far failed to produce a ceasefire.

Common collocations

  • offer mediation
  • accept mediation
  • mediation efforts
  • under the mediation of
  • international mediation
  • envoyA person sent by a government or international organisation on a special diplomatic mission, often to help with negotiations on a particular issue.
  • ceasefireAn agreement between the sides in an armed conflict to stop fighting, either for a limited time or as a first step towards a lasting peace.
  • negotiationFormal discussion between parties who are trying to reach an agreement, in which each side presents its position, makes proposals and may accept compromises.
  • conflictA serious disagreement or struggle between states or groups, ranging from a political dispute to armed violence; in IR it often means armed conflict.
  • talksFormal discussions between governments or groups, usually to solve a problem or reach an agreement; in this meaning the word is always plural.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Negotiation & Summit Language

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