Mediterranean Dialogue
The Mediterranean Dialogue, first launched in 1994, is a forum of cooperation between NATO and seven countries of the Mediterranean. Its stated aim is "to create good relations and better mutual understanding and confidence throughout the region, promoting regional security and stability and explaining NATO's policies and goals."[1]
The Dialogue reflects NATO's view that security in Europe is tied to the security and stability in the Mediterranean. It also reinforces and complements the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Mediterranean Initiative.
Members
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/NATO_partnerships.svg/400px-NATO_partnerships.svg.png)
The Mediterranean Dialogue initially started with five countries but has added two more over time.
Initial members
[edit]Egypt (joined in February 1995)
Israel (joined in February 1995)
Mauritania (joined in February 1995)
Morocco (joined in February 1995)
Tunisia (joined in February 1995)
Subsequent members
[edit]Potential expansion
[edit]In the 2012 Chicago Summit, NATO heads of states issued a declaration, citing Libya was "welcome" as a NATO partner "if it so wishes", through Mediterranean Dialogue. Libya has yet to respond.[3]
Individual Cooperation Programme (ICP)
[edit]On October 16, 2006, NATO and Israel finalized the first-ever Individual Cooperation Programme (ICP)[4] under the enhanced Mediterranean Dialogue, where Israel will be contributing to the NATO maritime Operation Active Endeavour. The ICP covers many areas of common interest, such as the fight against terrorism and joint military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.[5] More ICP agreements were signed with Egypt (2007) and Jordan (2009), and NATO expects further agreements to be signed with additional Mediterranean Dialogue member states in the future.
See also
[edit]- Istanbul Cooperation Initiative
- North Atlantic Council
- Partnership for Peace
- Union for the Mediterranean
References
[edit]- ^ NATO Topics: NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue - Linking regions together Archived 2009-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Partnership Interoperability Initiative". NATO. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Chicago Summit Declaration; Issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Chicago on 20 May 2012". nato.int. NATO. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ^ "NATO Press Release (2006) 123 - 16 Oct. 2006".
- ^ Israel moves closer to NATO missions