CONFLICT PREVENTION IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP: A EUROPEAN POINT OF VIEW

Abstract

In any approach to conflict prevention in the Mediterranean area, three elements deserve attention: the definition of the area, the stage of the conflicts, and the importance of structural factors in Mediterranean conflicts. The definition of the Mediterranean area represents a conditioning element. The Mediterranean can be defined in geographic as well as geo-strategic or geo-economic terms. Depending on the definition, the implications for conflict prevention vary. While the geographic definition is self-explanatory, the definition in geo-strategic terms is more complicated. In any case, two distinctive zones in the Mediterranean can be singled out clearly: the Western Mediterranean, which is easier to handle in strategic terms, and the Eastern Mediterranean, in which the likelihood of violent conflict is still high, most of all with respect to the Arab-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts.

References

1. Alker, H.R., Gurr, T.R., Rupesinghe,K, ‘Conflict Early Warning Systems: an Initial Research Program’, paper presented at the 36th Annual Convention of International Studies Association (ISA), Chicago, 21-25 February 1995.
2. Brauch, H.G., ‘Partnership Building Measures for Conflict Prevention in the Western Mediterranean’, in Marquina, A. and Brauch, H.G., Confidence Building and Partnership in the Western Mediterranean: Tasks for Preventive Diplomacy and Conflict Avoidance, Madrid, Research Unit on Security and International Co-operation (UNISCI) papers No. 1, 1994.
3. Carter, A.B., Perry, W.J. and Steinbruner, J.D., A New Concept of Co-operative Security, Washington DC, Brookings Institution, 1996.
4. Chayes, A. and Handle, A., Preventing Conflict in the Post-Communist World, Washington DC, Brookings Institution, 1996.
5. Chigas, D., ‘Preventive Diplomacy and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe: Creating incentives for Dialogue and Co-operation’, Chayes, A. and Handle, A., Preventing Conflict in the Post-Communist World, Washington DC, Brookings Institution, 1996.
6. Cohen, R., ‘Negotiating across cultures’, Croker, Ch. A. and Hampson, F.O., Managing Global Chaos, Washington DC, US Institute for Peace (USIP), 1996.
7. Croker, Ch. A. and Hampson, F.O., Managing Global Chaos, Washington DC, US Institute for Peace (USIP), 1996.
8. Heraclides, A., Helsinki II Aftermath: the Making of the CSCE into an International Organisation, London, Pinter, 1993.

9. Leatherman, J. and Väyrynen, ‘Structure, Culture and Territory: Three Sets of Early Warning Indicators’, paper presented at the 36th Annual Convention of International Studies Association (ISA), Chicago, 21-25 February 1995.
10. Lucas, M.R ., The CSCE in the 1990's: Constructing European Security and Co-operation, Baden-Baden, Nomos, 1993.
11. Lund, M.S., Preventing Violent Conflicts: a Strategy for Preventive Diplomacy, Washington DC, US Institute for Peace (USIP), 1996.
12. Marquina, A., El Maghreb: Concertación Cooperacion y Desaños, Madrid, Instituto del Mundo Arabe, 1993.
13. Marquina, A. and Brauch, H.G., Confidence Building and Partnership in the Western Mediterranean: Tasks for Preventive Diplomacy and Conflict Avoidance, Madrid, Research Unit on Security and International Co-operation (UNISCI) Paper No. 1, 1994.
14. Nolan, J.E., Global Engagement, Co-operation and Security in the 21st Century, Washington DC, Brookings Institution, 1994.
15. OSCE, ‘Lisbon Declaration on a Common and Comprehensive Security Model for Europe for the st Century’,1996.
16. Peters, J., Pathways to Peace: the Multilateral Arab-Israeli Peace Talks, London, Royal Institute of International Affairs, London, 1996.
17. ‘Revised Draft of the Acton Plan for the Development of the Political/Security Chapter of the Barcelona Process’, Brussels, 5 March 1997.
18. Sainz de la Peña, J.A., ‘Confidence Building Measures within in the Frame of the Cultural Dialogue’, Marquina, A. and Brauch, H.G., Confidence Building and Partnership in the Western Mediterranean: Tasks for Preventive Diplomacy and Conflict Avoidance, Madrid, Research Unit on Security and International Co-operation (UNISCI) Paper No. 1, 1994.
19. Sandole, D.J.D., ‘Dealing with Ethnic Conflict in the Post-Cold War Europe: Enhancing CSCE Capabilities for Early Warning, Conflict Prevention and the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes’, paper presented at International Peace Research Association (IPRA) XV General Conference, Malta, 31 October-4 November 1994.
20. Strobel, W.P., ‘The Media and US Policies toward Intervention’, Croker, Ch. A. and Hampson, F.O., Managing Global Chaos, Washington DC, US Institute for Peace (USIP), 1996.
21. The Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues, Common Security, London, Pan Books, 1982.
22. The OSCE Budapest Declaration of 1994 established that the participating states wanted to build a