'A house divided against itself cannot stand’: the European Community's management of the collapse of Yugoslavia

The break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991 was a classic case in which the interpretation of self-determination led to new thinking about state recognition and identities. What, then, are the lessons from the Yugoslavia case for Ireland? The EC management of the crisis had two dimensions: a political one, The Hague Peace Conference, and a legal one, the European Communities Conference on Yugoslavia Arbitration Commission. In fact, these two dimensions acted in contradiction to each other. The EC's political strand was disrupted by differing perceptions within member states of strategic interests. The Arbitration Commission, however, interpreted self-determination in a principled manner that balanced democracy with the protection of national minorities. A similar balancing act is evident in the Good Friday Agreement by its recognising of multiple national identities and citizenships on the island of Ireland, and that is a good foundation for any rebalancing of principles required for reunification.