The Mediterranean Dialogue Initiative, first launched in 1994, is a form of cooperation between NATO and the seven Mediterranean countries. The declared goal is “the creation of good relations and better mutual understanding and confidence throughout the region, the promotion of regional security and stability, and the explanation of NATO’s policies and goals.”
The initiative reflects the views of NATO that security in Europe is linked to security and stability in the Mediterranean. In addition, it strengthens and complements forms of co-operation such as the Mediterranean Union and the OSCE Mediterranean Initiative.
The Mediterranean dialogue on the structure is predominantly bilateral (NATO + 1 format), but allows regular meetings in a multilateral format (NATO + 7).
In general, events within the framework of the Mediterranean Dialogue are independently funded by the parties. However, NATO member countries agreed to consider financial assistance for the Mediterranean partners to participate in the Dialogue. A number of measures have recently been taken to stimulate cooperation, including revising the Dialogue’s financing policy, which now allows NATO to finance up to 100% of the Dialogue’s spending on participating in Dialogue events and extending the NATO Trust Fund / Partnership for Peace mechanisms to Dialogue countries .
Content
Members
The Mediterranean dialogue was launched with five countries of the basin, but two more later joined.
- Algeria (joined in March 2000)
- Egypt (joined in February 1995)
- Israel (joined in February 1995)
- Jordan (joined in November 1995)
- Mauritania (joined in February 1995)
- Morocco (joined in February 1995)
- Tunisia (joined in February 1995)
Libya
At the 2012 Chicago Summit, NATO leaders issued a declaration stating that they “would be happy to see” Libya as a NATO partner “if she so desires,” as part of the Mediterranean Dialogue. Libya has not yet provided an answer.
Key Principles
Key principles for launching and further successful development of the Mediterranean dialogue:
- Non-discrimination : all Mediterranean partners are offered the same basis for cooperation with NATO.
- Self-expression , which allows an individual approach to the special needs of each of the countries of the Dialogue. In particular, individual cooperation programs (below) allow interested countries of the Dialogue and NATO to outline their practical cooperation more specifically, which allows interested countries to determine the main short- and long-term goals of their cooperation with NATO, which are consistent with NATO policies and goals in the Mediterranean Dialogue.
- Inclusivity : all countries of the dialogue should consider themselves participants ("shareholders") in joint collective efforts.
- Bilateral engagement The Mediterranean Dialogue is a “bilateral partnership” when NATO expects partners to participate to succeed, through an ongoing consultation process and a particular emphasis on practical cooperation.
- Non-impositions : NATO Partners in the Dialogue are free to choose the speed and depth of their cooperation with NATO; the Alliance itself does not want to impose anything on them.
- Complementary and reciprocal reinforcement : The efforts of the Mediterranean Dialogue and other international institutions in the region are complementary in nature and initiatives reinforce each other, such as the EU Mediterranean Union, the OSCE Mediterranean Initiative, or Five Plus Five.
- Diversity : The Mediterranean dialogue respects and takes into account the particular regional, cultural and political contexts of partners.
Individual Collaboration Program
NATO and Israel created the first Individual Co-operation Program (IPA) on October 16, 2006 as part of an enhanced dialogue where Israel was to participate in NATO ’s Active Endeavor . IPA includes many areas of joint interests, such as the fight against terrorism and joint military exercises in the Mediterranean . Such IPSs were later signed with Egypt (2007) and Jordan (2009). NATO expects that such programs will be signed with other countries of the Mediterranean Dialogue in the future.
See also
- Istanbul Cooperation Initiative
- NATO
- Partnership for Peace
- Union for the Mediterranean
Notes
Literature
S. Grinko . NATO’s Mid-Sea Dialogue // Ukrainian Diplomatic Encyclopedia : At 2 volumes / Editorial: L. Gubersky (head) that ін. - K.: Knowledge of Ukraine, 2004 - Vol. 2 - 812s. ISBN 966-316-045-4