The future of the Euro-Mediterannean security dialogue

create serious problems and inhibit further progress. And the same is true of the WEU’s
Mediterranean Dialogue. Therefore, the emphasis should be on deepening the Dialogue, while, at
the same time, keeping the door open for new partners.
Finally, the spread of Islamic movements in the Arab and the Muslim world is an
undeniable fact. Islam as a political force in the Muslim world will play an important role in
shaping relations between Europe and the southern Mediterranean countries. Therefore, the West
should seek to understand the political culture of Islam and cease to demonise this religion.
Finally, two suggestions about NATO’s military planning. First, the alliance must
continue to prepare itself for potential military setbacks while ensuring that its actions do not
appear hostile. This dilemma will likely increase as NATO’s planning for non-Article 5
operations matures.
Second, NATO should be prepared to deal with the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, without, however, exaggerating this threat. NATO should avoid the impression that it
is searching for a new raison d’être; some might conclude that the alliance was trying to replace
the old Soviet menace with a new combination of Islamic fundamentalism and the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction. This could unnecessarily antagonise and isolate the Islamic or
the Arab world and become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
XIII.3 Conclusion
We appear to be approaching a rather critical point concerning the future development and
direction of EU’s Mediterranean policy. Even after the initial period of implementation of the
Barcelona Process, there is no clear answer to the question of whether and to what extent Europe
should give greater priority to the Mediterranean.
Recent developments in various parts of the Mediterranean give us reason for optimism.
Examples include the peace talks between Israel and Syria, the improvement of relations between
Greece and Turkey, the relative stabilization of the domestic situation in Algeria, the smooth
succession process in Jordan.
But there are many more problems, conflicts and crises to deal with. Fluidity, instability
and continued evolution are the predominant characteristics of the Mediterranean security
environment. Although I do not share the view that there may be today some sort of military
threat from the South to the North of the Mediterranean, increasing stability in this region should
be a high priority for Europe and the US. And this requires long-term planning, better
coordination and cooperation, and substantially increased funding.
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