Mediation, International Law

One of the procedures for the peaceful settlement of international disputes is mediation, which is the direct participation by a third country, individual, or organization in resolving a controversy between states. The mediating state may become involved at the request of the parties to the dispute or on its own initiative. In its role as mediator the intervening state will take part in the discussions between the other states and may propose possible solutions. A related procedure is the offer of good offices, where a state will take various actions to bring the conflicting states into negotiations, without necessarily taking part in the discussions leading to settlement.