PRESS INFO 4 July 1997

The Mediterranean Dialogue Security in Europe is closely linked with security and stability in the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean dimension is one of a number of components of the European security architecture. Consequently NATO has started a dialogue with six countries in the region: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. A New Approach to Mediterranean Security The end of Europe's ideological division fundamentally changed the nature of European and world politics. NATO changed with it. The Alliance has moved from being a passive provider of deterrence and defence to being an active promoter of cooperation and partnership with other countries. By building bridges through programmes of outreach, cooperation and partnership, the new NATO has played a role in contributing to an enhanced sense of stability and security in Europe. The Stabilisation Force (SFOR) currently deployed in Bosnia is the most vivid example of the effectiveness of this cooperative approach. All 16 Allies and 20 other countries, including three Mediterranean partners, are united in this unique coalition for peace. The importance of the Mediterranean is increasingly being recognised and the new NATO can have a positive influence in that region as well. Several NATO Allies are Mediterranean countries and good use can be made of NATO's successful experience gained in Europe in confidence building and in providing fora which encourage and facilitate contact and dialogue. Greater transparency can also help to minimise suspicions and misunderstandings. The various international organisations forming the new European Security Architecture, including NATO, have all recognised the importance of the Mediterranean region for security in Europe and accordingly have taken initiatives with the common objective of increasing stability and security in the region. Origin The Mediterranean dialogue derives from the Brussels Summit declaration of January 1994 when the NATO Heads of State and Government referred to the positive developments in the Middle East Peace Process as "opening the way to consider measures to promote dialogue, understanding and confidence-building between the countries in the region" and encouraged "all efforts conducive to strengthening regional stability." At their meeting in December 1994 NATO Foreign Ministers declared their readiness "to establish contacts, on a case-by-case basis, between the Alliance and Mediterranean non-member countries with a view to contributing to the strengthening of regional stability." To this end they directed the North Atlantic Council in Permanent Session "to continue to review the situation, to develop the details of the proposed dialogue and to initiate appropriate preliminary contacts." Aim The aim of the dialogue includes: contributing to security and stability in the Mediterranean; achieving a better mutual understanding; and correcting misperceptions about NATO among Mediterranean dialogue countries. Principles and Modalities The dialogue is progressive in nature and, in principle, is bilateral in form, although it allows for multilateral meetings on a case-by-case basis. The dialogue offers all Mediterranean partners the same basis for discussion and activities. The dialogue is meant to reinforce other international efforts with Mediterranean partners such as those undertaken by the Barcelona process, the Middle East peace process, the WEU and the OSCE, without either duplicating such efforts or intending to create a division of labour. Contents The Mediterranean dialogue consists of: political dialogue; and participation in specific activities. The political dialogue consists of regular bilateral political discussions with the possibilty of additional meetings or briefings on a case-by-case basis. These discussions provide an opportunity for extensive briefings on NATO's activities, including its programmes of external outreach and partnership, its internal adaptation and its general approach to building cooperative security structures. In turn, Mediterranean partners are invited to share their views with NATO on stability and security in the Mediterranean region. Mediterranean partners have been invited to participate in specific activities such as science, information, civil emergency planning and courses at NATO schools in fields such as peacekeeping, civil emergency planning, arms control, responsibility of military forces in environmental protection and European security cooperation. Participation in courses is on a self-funding basis. For the sake of transparency, certain activities in the military field may be added to this list. Future Development The Mediterranean dialogue is progressive in nature, both as regards substance and participation. It has been consistently strengthened since it was launched in 1994 and will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis by North Atlantic Council in Ministerial session.