Towards a Cooperative Security in the Mediterranean

Resumo

The geo-political boundaries of the Mediterranean vary according to two traditional points of view: one. is limited and only takes into consideration the waterside countries which have inherited the same cultural roots; the other is broad and considers it as single area between Gibraltar and the Gulf, including the Middle East.

With regard to the precise meaning of the concept of security in the Mediterranean, social, cultural and economic factors are emphasized and two main influences identified: one related to the Israeli-Arab peace process and another which favours the existence of cultural ties between the Latin countries and those of the Magrebe (expressed in formula 5+5 if Malta is included).

Next, the differences between American sensitivity, which emphasises the political-strategic nature of security, and European sensitivity, which concentrates more on the problem of social unrest and migratory tluxcs, are highlighted.

Lastly, broad co-operation, under the auspices of NATO, is proposed within a PfM (Partnership for the Mediterranean) framework.