17.05.2014 Views

The future of the Euro-Mediterannean security dialogue

The future of the Euro-Mediterannean security dialogue

The future of the Euro-Mediterannean security dialogue

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

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 />

5

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!