The future of the Euro-Mediterannean security dialogue

XVII. Better coordination of security dialogues in the Mediterranean
Stephen C. Calleya 1
When one examines the different Mediterranean policy track records of the various European
security organisations, it becomes clear that all would be more effective if they dedicated more of
their efforts to dealing with issues that are of primary concern to their Mediterranean partners.
Mediterranean countries too often perceive that the European security picture is moving along
regardless of their views. This is certainly not the approach that is required if a credible Euro-
Mediterranean confidence building framework is to be nurtured.
If European security institutions would like to upgrade their policies towards the
Mediterranean they must add some substance to the concept of complementarity. It is true that
overlap is better than a security vacuum, but there is no denying that synergy is better than
overlap. While continuing to offer flexible approaches towards the Mediterranean which
concentrate on different areas of specialisation, European security organisations would all
maximise their output if they introduced a more transparent system of sharing information with
one another.
If European security arrangements want to remain relevant in the Mediterranean they must
adapt to and reflect the changing regional dynamics of the Mediterranean. Information regarding
security initiatives across the Mediterranean area should be amplified and upgraded and the
objectives of each initiative be clearly spelt out.
The same can be said when it comes to the criteria for participating in different European
security initiatives towards the Mediterranean. It should be clear what the criteria for joining a
security initiative are and a process perhaps similar for those candidates wishing to join the
European Union can be adopted to remove the ambiguity that often surrounds accession guidelines.
To date security initiatives lack a coherent acquis and have not developed a screening and
negotiating like procedure similar to that adopted by the EU when it comes to admitting new
members. When it comes to participating in Euro-Mediterranean security arrangements endless
ambiguity will only contribute further to the misperceptions that already dominate security
relations between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. This will continue to
undermine efforts that seek to nurture confidence in this region of the world.
A Euro-Mediterranean security framework should also seek to accommodate the states of
Libya, Syria, Lebanon, and the Gulf states. The integration of such states into the main fabric of
Euro-Mediterranean relations will significantly determine the pattern of relations that will
dominate this region during the first quarter of the 21 st century.
XVII.1 The way forward
Ideally, one should investigate the feasibility of setting up a Euro-Mediterranean Security Agency
(EMSA) that would be mandated to co-ordinate the activities of the different European cooperative
security networks operating in the area. EMSA could also aim to initiate an incremental
security network.
1 Deputy Director, Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies,University of Malta.
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