Senior officials from NATO Allies and partners gather for NATO’s first Southern Neighbourhood Security Dialogue

“Our gathering in Naples comes as a result of the decision taken by Allied leaders at NATO’s Washington Summit last summer to adopt a Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan for a stronger, more strategic and result-oriented approach towards the region. We are approaching the first anniversary of the adoption of the Plan; this Security Dialogue is a reflection of how far we have come in ensuring that the southern neighbourhood is systematically included in NATO’s agenda,” Mr. Colomina pointed out. He added that this initiative “provides a unique opportunity to discuss the evolving security situation in the region, and to exchange views on our priorities for cooperation, with the direct involvement of our capitals.” 

NATO’s Special Representative also illustrated the development of a NATO–Southern Neighbourhood Partners’ Agenda for Tackling Security Challenges. This document was produced in consultation with Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) partners, and was endorsed by NATO Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Brussels in April. It identifies priority areas for thematic dialogues, including strategic perspectives on regional security, counter-terrorism, cyber defence, maritime security, countering information threats, scientific cooperation, Small Arms and Light Weapons and Mine Action (SALW/MA), and climate change and security.

The event was co-organised by the office of the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It featured around 90 participants from NATO Allies, partner countries from NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative,and regional organisations.