THE MEDITERRANEAN PACT: A FRAMEWORK FOR SOFT SECURITY CO- OPERATION

Abstract

The Mediterranean region increasingly acquires its own distinct political identity. With the end of the Cold War the region has lost its East-West compartmentalisation and security questions have become increasingly indivisible, regardless of diverse sub-regional features. Multilateral policy initiatives such as the Mediterranean Forum or the Barcelona process confirm this trend of regionalisation. But, the destiny of the Mediterranean remains closely linked to developments in Europe and the Middle East.

References

1. This contribution draws partially from an article published in Mediterranean Politics, Vol. 1, No. 3, 1996.
2. 2 Bleda, Tanşuğ (1996), ‘The Mediterranean and the Black Sea’, Perceptions, Vol. 1, No. 3, Ankara.
3. 3 Referred to as Euro-Mediterranean Pact in the Barcelona Declaration, the French and Maltese suggested first a Stability Pact for the Mediterranean, then variably a Mediterranean Pact or a Mediterranean Charter. This article uses the term Mediterranean Pact, except in cases where official language explicitly refers to another term. 4 ‘La politique Mediterraneennee de la France et de l'Union Europeenne a la veille de la Conference de Barcelone-Intervention du minister des Affaires etrangeres’, M. Herve de Charette a l'Assemble nationale, Textes et Documents, November 1996, pp. 86-91.
4. 5 Malta, Cyprus and Turkey.
5. 6 Barbe, Esther, ‘The Barcelona Conference: Launching Pad of a Process’, Mediterranean Politics, Vol. 1, No.1, p. 36.
6. 7 Brief on WEU Mediterranean Activities: OSCE Seminar, Tel Aviv, Sem.Med./TA/11, 3 June 1996.
7. 8 They include: 1. dialogue to contribute to stability in the region; 2. transparency in the field of military activities; 3. confidence-building measures on the OSCE patterns; and 4. conflict prevention based on the development of common security perceptions.
8. 9 The themes of the Multilateral Track include: Refugees, Water, Economic Development, Environment and Arms Control.