The future of the Euro-Mediterannean security dialogue
The future of the Euro-Mediterannean security dialogue
The future of the Euro-Mediterannean security dialogue
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PREFACE<br />
<strong>The</strong> WEU Institute for Security Studies organised a seminar on ‘<strong>The</strong> <strong>future</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Euro</strong>-<br />
Mediterranean <strong>security</strong> <strong>dialogue</strong>’, on 13-14 January 2000 in Paris. <strong>The</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> meeting<br />
was to discuss <strong>the</strong> possibilities <strong>of</strong> enhancing <strong>the</strong> <strong>Euro</strong>-Mediterranean Partnership’s political<br />
and <strong>security</strong> chapter, including <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> a military <strong>dialogue</strong> within <strong>the</strong> Barcelona<br />
Process. <strong>The</strong> seminar also tried to assess <strong>the</strong> contribution that WEU’s Mediterranean <strong>dialogue</strong><br />
might provide, in <strong>the</strong> wake <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> acquisition <strong>of</strong> WEU functions by <strong>the</strong> EU, and <strong>the</strong> synergies<br />
that will have to be found between <strong>the</strong> EMP’s new <strong>security</strong> dimension, and NATO’s<br />
Mediterranean <strong>dialogue</strong>.<br />
Participation in <strong>the</strong> seminar was very varied. Senior <strong>of</strong>ficials from <strong>the</strong> Barcelona process,<br />
international civil servants from <strong>the</strong> EU, NATO, OSCE, and WEU, high-ranking military<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficers, all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m acting in a personal capacity, and academics, from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Euro</strong>MeSCo<br />
network and elsewhere, were invited to discuss <strong>the</strong> proposed subjects openly and frankly.<br />
Following <strong>the</strong> usual practice, <strong>the</strong> Institute tried to strike a balance between <strong>of</strong>ficials and<br />
academics, and to obtain a wide geographical representation. In <strong>the</strong> end, participants came<br />
from nine WEU or NATO member nations, and from five Mediterranean countries.<br />
<strong>The</strong> programme <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seminar, which follows this preface, gives an idea <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> subjects<br />
addressed and <strong>the</strong> contents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> debates; a list <strong>of</strong> participants is also included. This paper<br />
contains <strong>the</strong> written contributions to <strong>the</strong> seminar, in <strong>the</strong>ir original language and in <strong>the</strong> order<br />
that were presented, as well as some concluding remarks in English and French by <strong>the</strong> editor.<br />
It must be underlined that all contributions represent <strong>the</strong> authors’ personal points <strong>of</strong> view, and<br />
not necessarily those <strong>of</strong> any state or organisation.<br />
<strong>The</strong> editor would like to express his sincerest gratitude to all <strong>the</strong> participants in <strong>the</strong><br />
seminar, <strong>the</strong> authors (who keep <strong>the</strong> copyright), and <strong>the</strong> Director and staff <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Institute for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir support. Special thanks are due to Denise Affonço-Herrmann, who worked<br />
conscientiously both in <strong>the</strong> preparation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seminar and <strong>of</strong> this publication.<br />
M. O.<br />
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