IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 396 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices extent ofthecooperation; itiscomple- (ICP) andNATO will notimposethe Individual CooperationProgramme spirit of self-differentiation through an to intensify its ownparticipation in the ple; howevereachcountrycandecide cording to a non-discrimination princi- basis isofferedtoallthepartnersac- ings intheNATO+7 format;thesame mat butalsoadmitsmultilateralmeet- is generallybilateralintheNATO+1 for- in termsofparticipationandcontent;it the followingfeatures:itisprogressive andJordan.TheDialoguehas , followed a few years later by , ,,Moroccoand participating countries,whichincluded arms. TheMDstartedin1994withfive tor; enhanceeffortstodestroyorcontrol against corruptioninthedefencesec- tive intosecurityanddefence;fight velopment; integrategenderperspec- support research on new capability de- sions; contributetocurrentoperations; exercises andtrainingforfuturemis- and intelligence sharing; participate in concern throughpoliticalconsultation sights onareasofcommoninterestor frameworks, these countries: share in- Withinthese Cooperation Initiative(ICI). the GulfregionthroughIstanbul aswellwithfourcountriesof (MD), under theMediterraneanDialogue seven southernMediterraneancountries oped anetworkofpartnershipwith to securityinEurope.NATO hasdevel- and NorthAfricaisorganicallyrelated reasons assecurityintheMiddleEast both forhumanitarianandgeopolitical important toNATO Alliesandpartners Instability in the Mediterranean region is Cooperation Initiative Dialogue andIstanbul 1. NATO’s Mediterranean in the Mediterranean Other Cooperation Initiatives Chronologies crisis management, bordersecurity, armed forces,civilemergencyplanning, in thefieldsofmodernization of the workshops andotherpracticalactivities operation intheMDincludesseminars, priorities fortheAlliance.Practical co- operative securityasoneofthree key Lisbon Summitin2011,identifiesco- new StrategicConcept,adoptedatthe cooperation under the Dialogue. The ward in NATO’s political and practical relevant host authorities on the way for- high-level politicalconsultationswiththe purpose ofthesevisitsistoconduct Deputy SG,toMDcountries.Themain ing theSecretaryGeneral (SG) and the visits byNATO SeniorOfficials,includ- The politicaldimensionalsoincludes bassadorial andworkinglevelformats. and multilateral level, at ministerial, am- place onaregularbasisbilateral andsevenMDcountriestake June), became NATO’s 29thmemberon5 sultations ofthe29Allies( practical cooperation dimensions. Con hanced boththeMD’spoliticaland framework, whichconsiderablyen- of amoreambitiousandexpanded partnership throughtheestablishment ment elevatedtheMDtoagenuine NATO’s HeadsofStateandGovern- ment. Atthe2004IstanbulSummit, Dialogue includingitsfurtherdevelop- to discuss allmatters related tothe Political Counsellorsonaregularbasis The Committeemeetsatthelevelof which isresponsible forallpartnerships. Political andPartnershipsCommittee, mit in1997.Itwasthenreplacedbythe established at the Madrid Sum (MCG), the MediterraneanCooperationGroup overall responsibilityfortheMDfellto and practicaldimension.Until2011,the tional initiatives;ithasbothapolitical mentary to other regional or interna - - - countries todo so); andaSciencefor Cyber Coalitionexercise(thefirst MD vitation toparticipateinthe2015 NATO cooperation, bordersecurity…); the in- Counter-Improvised ExplosiveDevices (cyber defence,militaryexercises, includes: sevenareasofcooperation mitment with partners. This package mand- drivenandaimsatNATO’s com- TheDCBInitiativeisde- cooperation). only Jordanhasaccesstoenhanced future NATO-led operations (currently ened sothatpartnerswillcontributeto operations andexerciseswillbedeep- the connectionsbuiltupoveryearsof first providesmeasurestoensurethat Capacity Building(DCB)Initiative.The and theDefenceRelatedSecurity the PartnershipInteroperabilityInitiative two importantinitiativeswereendorsed: with NATO. At the 2014 Wales Tunisia haveallagreedtailoredICPs Egypt, , , Mauritania and key national security needs. Israel, cooperation with NATO according to eral political dialogue as well as tailoring document, isaimedatenhancingbilat- eration Programme(ICP)framework replaces the previousIndividual Coop- which Cooperation Programme(IPCP), bodies. TheIndividualandPartnership andvisitNATORome (), military and theNATO DefenseCollegein (SHAPE) in Oberammergau () academic activities at the NATO School exercises, attendcoursesandother cases participate –in NATO/PfP military countries toobserve–andinsome eration includes invitations to Dialogue military dimensionofthepracticalcoop- The ons ofmassdestruction(WMD). terrorism and the proliferation of weap- cooperation, as well as consultations on plomacy, scientific and environmental small arms&lightweapons,publicdi- ners actively contribute to the NATO curity providers.Today, severalICIpart- in NATO-led operations, actingasse- onstrated theirreadinessto participate ICI partnershavealsoincreasingly dem- of activitiesaccessibletoICIcountries. This willdramaticallyexpandthenumber the samerangeandnumberofactivities. partners willhaveaccessinprincipleto ters inBerlinApril2011,allNATO at themeetingofNATO ForeignMinis- approval ofthenewpartnershippolicy and civilemergencyplanning.Withthe and thefightagainstillegaltrafficking; terrorism, smallarmsandlightweapons ing border security in connection with telligence sharing;cooperationregard- against terrorism, including through in- case basis;cooperationinthefight in NATO-led operationsonacase-by- selected NATO andPfPexercises exercises and through participation in through participationinselectedmilitary tion tocontributeinteroperability formation; military-to-militarycoopera- areas: tailoredadviceondefencetrans- which comprisearangeofcooperation ties thatcountriescanchoosefrom, tion. TheInitiativeoffersbilateralactivi- liferation ofweaponsmassdestruc- the fightagainstterrorismandpro- scribe toitsaimsandcontent,including broader MiddleEastregionwhosub- open toallinterestedcountriesofthe inclusiveness, theInitiativeis,however, the Initiative.Basedonprincipleof the UnitedArabEmirateshavealljoined as itstands, Bahrain, Qatar,Kuwaitand addressed totheGulfCountriesand, tion anditwaslaunchedin2004.Itis ICI onlyfocusesonpracticalcoopera- centre inMauritania.UnliketheMD, creation ofaregionalcrisismanagement security technologiesinIsraelandthe in Jordan,thedevelopmentofadvanced mentation ofacyber-defencestrategy fence trainingforMorocco,theimple- tries coveringareassuchascyber-de- SPS activitiesareheldwithMDcoun- rity-relevant activities.Morethan30 ing, expertadvice,and support tosecu- knowledge exchange. It provides fund- scientific research, innovation, and and dialoguewithallpartners,basedon policy toolthatenhancescooperation and Security (SPS) Programme is a Counter-IED. TheScienceforPeace Peace and Security (SPS) project on 164055.htm?selectedLocale=en www..int/cps/en/natohq/news_ (SPS). ence forPeaceandSecurityProgramme tion intheframeworkofNATO’s Sci- hybrid threats to NATO-Egypt coopera- cyber defence,counter-terrorism and ons, NATO-Russia/Ukraine Relations, missions, SmallArmsandLightWeap- NATO’s politicalagenda,operationsand tivities, wheretheyarebriefedon nean Dialogue’spublic diplomacy ac- ters intheframeworkofMediterra- Young EgyptiansvisitNATO headquar- • 162538.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ ments in the region. exchange viewsoncurrentdevelop- ties betweenNATO andIsraelto to discusspracticalcooperationactivi- temoeller paysanofficialvisittoIsrael, Deputy SecretaryGeneralRoseGot- • 162258.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ counter-terrorism. curity; andcooperationinthefieldof Security (SPS)programme;energyse- countries; the Science for Peace and tion with eral topics includingNATO’s coopera- quarters where they are briefedon sev- Algerian academics visit NATO head • Main Events in 2019 to a country inthe region. Group alsoundertakesanannualvisit consider theannualGSMReport.The region, to explore specific topics and to countries withtheircounterpartsinthe together parliamentarians from NATO The GSMconductsseminars,bringing MENA regiontodiscusssecurityissues. for parliamentariansofNATO andthe (GSM) wascreatedin1996asaforum nean andMiddleEastSpecialGroup tary dimension of NATO a Mediterra - operation. Finally, within the Parliamen- playing akeyroleinthesuccessof recognized ascontributingnations, air assets totheoperationandwere United Arab Emirates promptly provided tector (OUP)inLibya,Qatarandthe ing thelaunchofOperationUnifiedPro- ISAF operationinAfghanistan.Follow- 18-19 February, Brussels,: 20-21 January, Tel Aviv, Israel:NATO 10-11 January, Brussels, Belgium: -

164273.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ cooperation. future prospectsforincreasedlevels of tions betweenAlgeriaandNATO and approach toNorthAfrica,current rela- brid threats. The parties discuss NATO’s counter-terrorism efforts tocounterhy- cyber political agenda, NATO-Russia relations, briefed ontopicsrelatedto NATO’s gramme activities.Thejournalistsare work ofthepublicdiplomacypro- visit NATO headquarters in the frame- group ofAlgerianjournalistsandeditors • 164200.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ cal and Nuclear(CBRN) weapons.” use of Chemical, Biological, Radiologi- terrorist attackinJordanfeaturingthe bilities toprepareforandresponda the jointProjecton“EnhancingCapa- derstanding ontheimplementationof (UNOCT) signaMemorandumofUn- OfficeofCounter-TerrorismNations sentatives ofNATO andtheUnited • 164030.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ tions Support Mission in . resentative andHeadofthe UnitedNa- the former UnitedNationsSpecialRep- General, Ambassador Bernardino Leon, - areaccompaniedbytheEDADirector erations. Thestudents-futurediplomats South, andNATO’s missionsandop- (MD) partners,NATO’s approachtothe partners and MediterraneanDialogue with IstanbulCooperationInitiative(ICI) officials anddiscussespartnerships meets withNATO civilianandmilitary Emirates DiplomaticAcademy(EDA) • 164029.htm www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ counter-terrorism and cyber defence. Security Programme,energysecurity, with Russia,theScienceforPeaceand Cooperation Initiative,currentrelations Mediterranean DialogueandtheIstanbul ties, wheretheyarebriefedon the nean Dialogue’s public diplomacy activi- ters intheframeworkofMediterra- National assemblyvisitNATO headquar- the councilofNationandpeople’s A groupof Algerian parliamentariansfrom • 05-06 March,Brussels,Belgium:A 05 March,NewYork, USA:Repre- 20 February, Brussels, Belgium: The 19-20 February, Brussels,Belgium: defence, NATO missions and

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 397 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 398 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices is exposedtoviolence andturmoilfrom its southernborderswherethecountry afterlosingseveralsoldierson also emphasizesNATO’s solidaritywith continued fight against terrorism. He rity acrosstheMENAregionthrough its NATO isdedicatedtopromoting secu- Atlantic Council,wherehestressesthat iterranean DialogueduringtheNorth marks the25thanniversaryofMed- retary General(SG)JensStoltenberg • 165633.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ NATO’s SPS Programme. Egypt cooperation in the framework of fence, counter-terrorismand NATO- da, NATO-Russia relations,cyber de- topics relatedtoNATO’s politicalagen- tivities. Thejournalistsarebriefedon of itspublicdiplomacyprogrammeac- NATO headquarters in the framework group ofEgyptianjournalistsvisit • 164841.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ countries. rity ofTunisia anditsneighbouring further strengthenthemaritimesecu- TO’s multinationalexercises and to NATO standards,totakepartinNA- Tunisian Navyistobecompatiblewith In the long term, the objective of the warfare andenvironmentalconditions. anti-submarine warfare, electronic further simulationcapabilities,suchas grade their maritime simulator with the Tunisian officersatseaandto up- training istoimprovethereadinessof Goulette navalbase.Theaimofthe a twoweektrainingcourseattheLa gramme, Tunisian navyofficersreceive the frameworkofNATO’s SPSpro- • 164430.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ Center. focus onKuwaitandtheICIRegional Cooperation Initiative,withaspecial Dialogue and in the terranean operation with countries in the Medi- on thedifferentstrandsofNATO’s co- tive. Theyoungdiplomatsarebriefed within theIstanbulCooperationInitia- NATO’s publicdiplomacyactivities headquarters in the framework of Young Kuwaiti diplomats visit NATO • 6 May, ,Turkey: NATO Sec- 03-04 April, Brussels, Belgium: A 22 March,LaGoulette,Tunisia: In 11 March, Brussels, Belgium:

rent situationin the Mediterraneanre- Israel, andexchangeviewsonthe cur- going cooperationbetweenNATO and meets Israeliofficialstodiscussthe on- Defence Investment,CamilleGrand, NATO’s AssistantSecretary Generalfor • 166957.htm www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ and arms control. forts incounter-terrorism,cyberdefence issues, theSPSandalliance’sef- topics suchasNATO’s currentpolitical and discussionsessionsonspecific gramme of the visit features briefings tanbul CooperationInitiative.Thepro- Mediterranean DialogueandintheIs- of cooperationwithcountriesinthe are givenanoverviewofNATO’s strands diplomacy activitieswithMorocco.They time intheframeworkofNATO’s public visit NATO headquartersforthefirst Moroccan royalarmedforcesofficers • 165944.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ to the Mediterranean Dialogue. sponsibility. Onesessionisdedicated Enablement ofSACEUR’sAreaRe- rence andDefencePosture andthe headquarters todiscussNATO’s Deter- chiefs ofdefencesessionsatNATO’s 181st MilitaryCommitteemeetsfor • 166093.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ curity relatedtodevelopmentsinLibya. share viewsonthecurrentregionalse- Tunisian Armed Forces. The parties also the developmentofwomen’srolesin public diplomacy, counterterrorismand tion inareasofgoodgovernanceand vices andcyberdefencecoopera- countering improvised explosive de- development ofkeycapabilitiessuchas interoperability, defenceeducation,the the parties,especiallyinarmedforces level ofcooperationactivitiesbetween in Brussels where they discussthe meets withNATO’s SecretaryGeneral Foreign Minister,KhemaisJhinaoui • 165855.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ ons_165851.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opini with SyriaandIraq. the MiddleEastbecauseofitsborders 03-04 September,Tel Aviv, Israel: 17-19 June, Brussels, Belgium:The 22 May, Brussels, Belgium: The 16 May, Brussels,Belgium:Tunisian

169729.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ and arms control. ity betweenthem,defenceeducation strengthening thelevelofinteroperabil - tween Morocco and NATO, including and specificareasofcooperation be- countries intheMediterraneanDialogue strands ofNATO cooperationwiththe where theyarebriefedondifferent diplomats visitsNATO headquarters A high-leveldelegationofMoroccan • ons_169574.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opini cially against Daesh. pected tooperatewithrestraintespe- questioned by the SG. Turkey is ex- of theRussianS400missilesystemis the refugeecrisis.TheTurkish purchase discuss thefightagainstterrorismand increased navalpresence.Theparties its southernbordersaswellNATO’s missile systemstohelpTurkey protect NATO’s support through defensive Mediterranean regionandexpresses tions withNATO anditsroleinthe to Istanbul,praisesTurkey’s deeprela- SG JensStoltenberg,duringhisvisit • ons_169485.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opini the crisis. cially regarding Turkey’s involvementin crisis indifferentwaysandSyria,espe- in the Mediterranean to help alleviate the and migrantcrisis,NATO’s deployment the challengesposedbyrefugee and Mr Conte discuss the response to Command inNaples.TheNATO SG tantly byhostingNATO’s JointForce Jordan andTunisia, butmostimpor- supporting Mediterraneanpartnerslike TO’s trainingmissioninIraqandalso tions thecountry’scontributiontoNA- nations inAfghanistan.Healsomen- as one of the top force-contributing serving international security, especially ly’s roleinNATO, inEuropeandpre- Ministers GiuseppeConte,praisesIta- with thePresidentofItaly’sCouncil Jens Stoltenberg, at the joint press point • 168575.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ defence, research and development. proliferation andarmscontrol,cyber gion, especiallyregardingweapons 15-16 October,Brussels,Belgium: 11 October,Istanbul,Turkey: NATO 9 October,,Italy:NATO SG

Mauritania andMoroccoatthe17 from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, mand NapleshostIntelligenceexperts Division alongwithJointForceCom- NATO JointIntelligenceandSecurity • ons_170606.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opini sis in Syria. and find a political solution to the cri- ing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and itscommitmenttomaintaintrain- against ISISandterrorismingeneral as theUNandUSinfight NATO alongwithotherpartnerssuch Dialogue. Hepraisestheeffortsof speech attheKorber GlobalLeaders NATO SGJensStoltenberggivesa • nized thatsecurity inEuropeisclosely sinki FinalActin1975,whichrecog - and itsMPCsdatesbacktothe Hel- The relationshipbetweentheOSCE for Cooperation 2. OSCEMediterraneanPartners ons_171928.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opini the initiative. also talksaboutfuturestepstoenhance non-proliferation andarmscontrol.He fence, civilemergencyplanning,and ergy andmaritimesecurity, cyberde- grammes derived from it, suchas en- countries intheICIandallpro- praises the involvement of Gulf (ICI), of theIstanbulCooperationInitiative ceremony tomarkthe15thanniversary Jens Stoltenberg, in his speech at the • 171499.htm?selectedLocale=en www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_ security. implement a360-degreeapproachto inextricably linked and is determined to lantic andMediterraneansecurityare nity. NATO understandsthatTransat - ships withinthe intelligence commu- building personallinksandrelation- partners inthefieldofintelligence, between NATO and Mediterranean region. Theaimistoreinforcerelations on thechallengesinMediterranean rum forexchangingviewsandinsights Conference. Theeventprovidesafo- Annual NATO-Mediterranean Dialogue 25-27 November, , Italy: the 07 November,Berlin,Germany: 16 December,Kuwait:NATO SG th

chair oftheOSCE. Itdiscussestopics its chairmanisgenerallytheincoming times ayear at ambassadorial level and Partners. Itgenerallymeets seven venue forregulardialoguewith the The ContactGroupservesatthe main their way to democracy and stability. the PartnershiptoassistPartnerson firmed the need to reinforce and adapt ern Mediterraneanasof2011con- upheavals thatswept across the south- pate inspecificactivities.Thewaveof to attendPartners’ needstopartici- 2007, aspecialfundhasbeencreated ment OSCEcommitments.Since encouraging themtovoluntarilyimple- observation, media freedom) besides trafficking in human beings, election nomic and environmental activities, (counterterrorism, borderissues,eco- fields forcooperationwithpartners ticipating states decided to extend the the OSCESG.In2003,par- rent andpastChairmen-in-Office) with theOSCETroika (incoming, cur- partners engageinhigh-levelmeetings the OSCEMinisterialCouncilmeeting, new waystoenhancecooperation.At for theexchangeofideasandexploring ics andNGOs,itprovidesaplace ganizations, parliamentarians,academ- generally attendedbyinternationalor- OSCE MediterraneanConferenceis The the SecretaryGeneral(SG). Mediterranean Forumandthevisitby nual OSCEevents,thePA Mediterranean Conference,certainan- main elementsare:theannualOSCE relationship, besidestheMCG, Within the political framework of this terranean Contact Group (MCG). interest andgenerateideas:theMedi- the exchangeofinformationmutual duct adialoguewithMPCstofacilitate contact groupofexpertsmettocon- In 1994 an informal joined in1998). ners forcooperationin1995(Jordan er cooperationandfinallybecamepart- Morocco andTunisia requested aclos- meeting when Algeria, Egypt, Israel, at the1993RomeMinisterialCouncil tal, scientificandculturaltopics.Itwas lated toeconomic,social,environmen- meeting onMediterraneanissuesre- ing states were invited to a specific Helsinki, Mediterranean non-participat- nean asawhole.Immediatelyafter linked with security in the Mediterra - litico-military security in the OSCE ics relatedtoawidespectrum of po- ticipating states. Abroadrangeoftop - undertaken bytheOSCEandits par- logue andreviewingsecurity work ship eventforenhancingsecurity dia- ence (ASRC)istheorganization’s flag- OSCE Annual Security Review Confer- • Conference 2019 Annual Security Review terranean-conference www.osce.org/event/2019-osce-medi day conference. for Co-operationisthefocusoftwo- OSCE and its Mediterranean Partners proach toco-operationbetweenthe more strategic,action-orientedap- Making tangiblestepstowardsa ation. Mediterranean PartnersforCo-oper- today astheContactGroupwith for co-operation wascreated,known Summit inBudapest,anewframework anniversary thisyear.Duringthe1994 rocco and Tunisia) will celebrate a 25th tion (Algeria,Egypt,Israel,Jordan,Mo- Mediterranean PartnersforCo-opera- the Partnership.” The OSCEandits challenges andfutureopportunitiesfor ranean ContactGroup:achievements, “The 25thanniversaryoftheMediter- conference isheldunderthetopicof • Conference 2019 OSCE Mediterranean practices and democratic processes. them the opportunity to study best country observationmissionsoffering OSCE PA conferences,andalsoto tive. MPCsareinvitedtoparticipatein MPCs from a parliamentary perspec- tions between participating statesand Assembly (OSCEPA) enhancesrela- transition. TheOSCEParliamentary and OSCE toolbox for democratic port tosharetheirexpertise,experience pating stateshavereaffirmedtheirsup- within thegroupwhileOSCEpartici- relevant informationanddevelopments have displayed a readiness to share tal andhuman.Since2011,Partners co-military, economic and environmen- in thethreeOSCEdimensions:politi- relevant to OSCE Partners ormembers 25-27 June,Vienna,Austria:The 24-25 October,Tirana,:The

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 399 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 400 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices meeting isheld in lightoftherapidly stability inEuropeandbeyond.” The vention: theOSCE’snicheinfostering ing is “From past action to future pre- topic forthisinformalministerial meet- • OSCE Informal Ministerial Gathering www.osce.org/event/mc_2019 Council. 15th anniversaryoftheUNSecurity ciples governingnon-proliferationand the 25thanniversaryofOSCEprin- rative declaration on theoccasion of format. Finally, they issue a commemo Transdniestrian Settlement in the “5+2” cuss theNegotiationProcesson of the Code ofConduct. They also dis- full, faithfulandeffectiveimplementation ties expresstheircommitmenttothe on 3and4December2020.Thepar- ministerial councilwillbeheldinTirana operation Group” respectively. The27th “OSCE MediterraneanPartnersforCo- Partners forCo-operation Group” and for Co-operationtothe“OSCEAsian Group withtheMediterraneanPartners for Co-operationandtheContact Contact Group with theAsian Partners 2022. Theyalsodecidetorenamethe chairmanship for2021andPoland for decide thatSwedenwilltakeoverthe At theendofmeeting,parties on securityissuesintheOSCEarea. tion’s activitiesandstrengthendialogue cil istoreviewandassesstheorganiza- The goaloftheannualministerialcoun- • OSCE Ministerial Council Annual Ministerial Council – 26th security-review-conference www.osce.org/event/2019-annual- area and beyond. - current and future trends in the OSCE portunities; andTransnational threats building measures: challenges and op- control and confidence- andsecurity- rity andconfidence;Conventionalarms tions intheOSCEarea:buildingsecu- way ahead;Conflictandcrisissitua- rehabilitation: lessonslearnedandthe conflict resolutionandpost conflict conflict prevention,crisismanagement, lateral approachestoearlywarning, region areaddressed:Effectivemulti- 8-9 July, HighTatras, :The 5-6 December, Bratislava, Slovakia: - ration/mediterranean/437126 www.osce.org/partners-for-coope centre of discussions. and Tunisia –willhavetoremainatthe geria, Egypt,Israel,Jordan,Morocco expectations ofpartnercountries –Al- Partnership. Participantsagreethat the ownership andco-responsibilityforthe and furtherdevelopingasenseofco- support practicalco-operationprojects; erational; ensuringgreaterflexibilityto making thePartnershipFundmoreop- higher levelofpoliticalengagement; proposals discussedare:ensuringa which concludes in Tirana. Some of the OSCE MediterraneanConference, eration isthefocusoftwo-day2019 its MediterraneanPartnersforCo-op- co-operation betweentheOSCEand strategic, action-orientedapproachto Making tangiblestepstowardsamore • Mediterranean partners for Co-operation meetings/previous-autumn-meeting www.oscepa.org/meetings/autumn- tional delegations meet on 5 October. Standing Committeeofheadsna- Role oftheOSCEanditsPartners.” the -Mediterranean Region: The the theme“PromotingSecurityacross and a parliamentaryconferenceunder ranean RegioninaGlobalizedWorld,” Economic ConnectivityoftheMediter- “North-South Co-operationModelsand terranean Forum, held under the theme The AutumnMeetingincludesaMedi- • 18th Autumn Meeting of OSCE PA terial-gathering www.osce.org/event/informal-minis cussion. will hostand moderate the plenary dis- and EuropeanAffairsMiroslavLajcak, Office, Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and years ahead. The Chairperson-in- platform forco-operationinthemonths ideas toguidetheOSCE’sworkasa level politicaldialogueandgenerate ering as a way to spark genuine high- fore seestheinformalministerialgath- ever. The Slovak Chairmanship there- innovative co-operationgreaterthan and beyond,whichmakestheneedfor changing securitylandscapeinEurope 25-26 October,Tirana,Albania: 4-6 October,Marrakech,Morocco: The The

tional nature, it is a forum for the ex- Duetoitspractical andopera- 2007). (since 2006)andTransport (since Tourism Defence(since2004), 2003), Inter-parliamentary Relations (since Migration(since 2002), (since 1995), Renewable Energies,HomeAffairs as Education,theEnvironmentand panded toincludeotherspheres,such as economic integration, it later ex- ing with security and stability, as well mise betweenForeignMinistersdeal- sues. Originallyjustapoliticalcompro- discuss anincreasing number ofis- isters andseniorofficialsnowmeetto opening up,andtheparticipatingmin- and informalityhaveenabledagradual western Mediterranean. Its flexibility and multidisciplinarycooperationinthe rum to one for strengthened regional transformed fromamerelypoliticalfo- nature. Overtheyears,ithasbeen Dialogue hasaflexibleandinformal The 5+5 Malta who joined in 1991). (, , Italy, and five membersoftheEuropeanUnion co, Mauritania,LibyaandTunisia) and Arab MaghrebUnion (Algeria, Moroc- nean Basin: five countries from the countries ofthewesternMediterra- meeting in Rome. It gathers the ten October 1990duringaministerial French proposal and was set up on 10 The 5+5Dialoguecomesfroma 3. 5+5Dialogue www.osce.org/secretariat/436994 and Tunisia. geria, Egypt,Israel,Jordan,Morocco the borderandcustomsservicesofAl- The high-levelparticipantsrepresent gether 13membersofthePoC Network. thetrainingcoursebringsto- cional), Spanish NationalPolice (Policia Na- ment incloseco-operationwiththe OSCE’s Transnational Threats Depart Security andManagementUnitofthe man beings.OrganizedbytheBorder threats: terrorism and trafficking in hu- gendered aspectsoftransnational course on24October2019two complete athree-dayintensivetraining Border SecurityandManagement Points of Contact (PoC) Network on bers of the OSCE Mediterranean • 25 October,Madrid,Spain:Mem- - working groups. Theupcomingleader- sented Italyintheactivities of the tariat oftheDialogueandhas repre- its headquartersinTrieste, theSecre- tal Geophysics - OGS has hosted, at tute ofOceanographyandExperimen - Forum. Since2017,theNational Insti- the two-yearItalianpresidencyof Rome declaration,whichconcludes and Tunisia. Theministerssignthe Mauritania, Morocco,Portugal, Spain Algeria, France,Italy, Libya,Malta, Mediterranean Forum(Dialogue5+5): between theMinistersofWestern tion, UniversitiesandResearch(MIUR) cation” attheItalianMinistry forEduca- Research, InnovationandHigherEdu- terial Conference“5+5Dialogueon • Declaration_ministerial.pdf tent/uploads/2019/01/55-Valletta- https://medthink5plus5.org/wp-con pectations of the people in the region. tus to address the aspirations and ex- that couldprovidethenecessaryimpe- same time,anumberofopportunities tion andorganizedcrimebutatthe loss, thethreatofterrorism,radicaliza- of climate change and bio-diversity those relatedtomigration,theimpact face anumberofchallenges,including the region.Inthiscontext,countries velopment objectives for the benefit of to collectivelyaddresssustainablede- cant concertedeffortshouldbemade Ministers acknowledge that asignifi ture forthewesternMediterranean.” “Working Together: ASustainablefu- The main theme of the meeting is ple’s DemocraticRepublic of Algeria. Minister ofForeignAffairsthePeo- Malta, andMr.AbdelkaderMessahel, Trade PromotionoftheRepublic Abela, MinisterforForeignAffairsand co- oftheHon.Carmelo 5+5 Dialoguetakesplaceunderthe Conference ofForeignMinistersthe • Main events in 2019 regional context. sertion ofLibyaandMauritaniainthe This initiativehasencouragedthein- is limited to the western Mediterranean. restricted geographicalscope,which initiatives. Itcanalsocapitalizeonits change ofideasandthelaunchnew 11 June,Rome,Italy:TheIVMinis- 18 January, Valletta, Malta:the15th -

slavia andthegrowing tensionsamong the fragmentationofformer Yugo- After the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, 4. AdriaticIonianInitiative(AII) initiative.aspx closes_the_15th_edition_of_the_5_5_ defence_ministry_minister_guerini_ www.difesa.it/EN/Primo_Piano/Pagine/ mitments. tive’s growingandcoordinatedcom- possible, harmonizedwiththeInitia- whose importancemustbe,asfar further momentum to thoseactivities, Mediterranean, moreover,canonlygive terest towardthesouthernshoreof tion andtrainingsectors.Growingin- aeronautic, civilprotectionand educa- tiative’s linesofaction,i.e.themaritime, significant outcomesalongalltheIni- “5+5” partner countries have achieved in Libya.TheDefenceMinistriesofthe Italy’s commitmenttofosterstabilization Guerini, inhisopeningspeech,confirms Italian DefenceMinisterMrLorenzo priate security conditions for the event. ing in Rome in order to provide appro- 5+5 DefenceInitiativeMinisterialMeet- asks toholdthepresidencyof15th • 2-juillet-2019/ 07/03/iv-med-think-55-forum-malte-1- https://medthink5plus5.org/2019/ the Mediterranean. cooperation betweenthetwoshoresof role ofthe5+5Dialogueinreinforcing ranean, thepartiesconfirmcentral a sustainableandinnovativeMediter- with theengagementstakentoensure Theissuesdiscussedalign (MEDAC). nean AcademyofDiplomaticStudies Promotion ofMaltaandtheMediterra- Ministry forForeignAffairsandTrade incollaborationwiththe ranean (UfM), (IEMed) andtheUnionforMediter- European InstituteoftheMediterranean ture.” Theforumisco-organizedbythe of opportunitiesforasustainableFu- in theWestern Mediterranean.ABasin the title“FosteringInnovativeAlliances 4th • rome-declaration-signed-june-10-2019 http://www.fiveplusfiverihe.org/post/ Mauritania. ship, forthenexttwoyears,passesto 12 December,Rome,Italy:Libya 01-02 July, Valletta, Malta:The MedThink 5+5 Forum is held under

Stabilisation and AssociationProcess gradually approaching the EU within the different timeframes and conditions, are albeit with Montenegro andSerbia), tries (Albania, , Adriatic-Ionian Eastsidecoastal Coun- in 2013enteredtheEUand other changed. Sloveniain2004andCroatia geopolitical environmenthasdeeply after theestablishmentofAII, its implementationphase.Manyyears cil on24October2014andisnowin SAIR hasbeenendorsedbytheCoun- (EUSAIR) bythe end of2014. The EU- egy fortheAdriaticandIonianRegion” Commission topresentanew“Strat- Council hasgivenamandatetotheEU Adriatic Ionianbasin.TheEuropean to establish a Macro-Region for the raising awareness regarding the need then theAIIParticipatingstates,started for theAdriaticIonianRegion.Since 2010, ontheideaofaMacro-Region eration, the AII started working, in support multilateralsub-regionalcoop- Following the recent EU approach to over fromJune2017untilMay2018. ended inMay2017,withItalytaking of GreecestartedinJune2016and alphabetical criteria.TheChairmanship rotates everyMay/Juneaccordingto . Theinitiative’sChairmanship , Italy, Montenegro,Serbiaand Bosnia andHerzegovina,, the AIIhaseightmembers:Albania, cess ofEuropeanintegration. Today, thus creatingasolidbaseforthepro- mote politicalandeconomicstability, strengthen regional cooperation to pro- “Ancona Declaration” inorder to tia, GreeceandSloveniasignedthe bania, BosniaandHerzegovina,Croa- of theparticipatingcountries,Italy, Al- the Conference,ForeignMinisters cona (Italy)inMay2000.Attheendof Adriatic andIonianSeas,heldinAn- on the Development andSecurity of the tive (AII)wasestablishedattheSummit Initiative.” TheAdriaticandIonianInitia- ment presentedthe“Adriatic Ionian EU Summitin1999,theItalianGovern- future. Withinthistreaty, attheFinnish tries hopingtojointheUnionin rope” forsouth-easternEuropeancoun- “Stability PactforSouthEasternEu- to cope with these crises, promoted the the Balkanarea,EU,initsattempts ethnic, cultural and religious groups in

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 401 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 402 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices ship are:1.Tourism; 2.Culture; 3.En- priorities oftheMontenegrinChairman - as inter-university cooperation. The ronmental andcivilprotectionas well sustainable tourismandculture, envi- tor, transportandenergyconnections, level, especiallyinthebluegrowth sec- of commoninterestattheregional ed dimensionoftheinitiativeinareas towards developingtheproject-orient- the one-yearpresidencyareoriented countries. Theactivitiesplannedduring tegration aspirationsofWestern Balkan continues to support the European in- tion of EU standards and values and places specialattentiononthepromo- members oftheorganization.Italso tries andthoseseekingtobecome as wellstrengthtieswithinAIIcoun- the AllRoundTables initiatedbyItaly, alignment ofcommonstancesthrough presidency, itseekstocompletethe position untilJune2019.Duringits ship in June 2018 and remains in this Montenegro takesoverthechairman- Chairmanship Main Events during the Montenegrin soon as it is fully operational. the EUSAIRStakeholdersPlatform,as connecting theAIIRoundTables with local administrations;and,secondly, by tions, chambersofcommerce)andfrom Society (universities,NGOs,associa- coming from AdriaticandIonianCivil es the participation of selected experts make themeffective,theAII-PSfinanc- Inorderto Steering Groups(TSGs). strictly with theEUSAIR Thematic Round Tables andconnectingthem in two ways: firstly, by strengthening AII The AIIisgoingtofosterthisprocess making thesubsidiarityprinciplework. of bringingthemintothepictureand and civilsocietywiththeultimategoal AII focusfor2017isonstakeholders each otherandmutuallybeneficial.The (AII andEUSAIR)inseparablefrom rum. Thisnowmakesthetwoexercises Meeting” isheldwithintheEUSAIRFo- Ionian Council/EUSAIRMinisterial (12-5-2016) adoublehat“Adriatic and reformed. For the first time in Dubrovnik highest politicalbodyoftheAIIisalso AII RoundTables approvedin2015,the membership. After the overhaul of the framework, asapreludetofutureEU Mission toMontenegro;the16th on Youth in cooperationwiththeOSCE corruption; theMinisterialConference gional Conference on prevention of Inter-University cooperation;theRe- of EUSAIRTSG4;aRoundTable on Culture, back-to-back withthemeeting tion; aRoundTable onTourism and Round Table on EnvironmentalProtec- Transport andEnergyConnections;a ing activities include:aRound Table on Montenegrin chairmanship,theupcom- presidency inMay. Accordingtothe planned activitiesuntiltheendof the presidencyuntilnowand place to discuss the achievements of 9th to-back withthefirstsessionof AII CommitteeofSeniorOfficials back- • tivat-7-february-2019 plus-aii-permanent-secretariat-meeting- www.aii-ps.org/news/297-aii-troika- into the Forum. to meetanddiscussitsofficialentry opportunity for the Municipality of Tivat May 6-8, will, in this regard, be a great whichwillbeheldinBudvaon sities), bers ofCommerce,CitiesandUniver- ference ofCivilSocietyFora(Cham- organizations. ThesecondJointCon- cooperation withregionalinitiatives/ ruption, migration);andstrengthening areas ofcooperation(youth,anti-cor- tion of the Budva Declaration; ad hoc Council (Budva,6-8May);theprepara- coming events; the Adriatic and Ionian ing activitiesandorganizationofforth- Presidency; the calendar of the upcom recent eventsundertheMontenegrin different topics:informationregarding (Italy, Montenegro, Serbia) todiscuss present andfutureAIIChairmanships participation ofrepresentativespast, retariat” meetingtakesplacewiththe 1st “AII Troika plusAIIPermanentSec- • sports. and icy fields ofeducation,culture,youthpol- 9. Regional youthcooperationinthe 8. Inter-university cooperation;and field of transport; 7. Civil protection; and innovation; 6. Connectivity in the vironment; 4.Bluegrowth;5.Research Adriatic and Ionian Chambers of Com- ond JointConferenceoftheFora ofthe in Budvaon18-19ofMarch;the Sec- ference oftheSpeakersParliament 20 February, Brussels, Belgium: 2nd 7 February, Tivat,Montenegro:The EUSAIR Governing Board takes

Con- - 9th San MarinotojointheAII. of public about the officialrequestbyRe- laneta alsoinformsseniorofficials AII SecretaryGeneralAmb.Castel- TheChairmanshiptogetherwith May). Adriatic andIonianCouncil(Budva,8 ior Officials (Budva, 6-7 May); and the merce; the III Committee of the AII Sen- by theMontenegroChamberofCom- held inBudvaon6-8May, organized merce, CitiesandUniversities tobe and financialsupport totheimplemen- institutions to strengthen their political of theirparliaments,callforEuropean in theConference,asrepresentatives membership candidates. Participants and candidatecountriespotential eration betweenEUMemberStates resents ausefulinstrumentofcoop- Adriatic andIonianRegion,whichrep- vide supporttotheEUStrategyfor integration intheEU.Parliamentspro- things, supporttheWestern ’ jects, whichshould,amongother important foridentifyingregionalpro- of nationalparliamentswithintheAIIis countries determinethatcooperation Statement, parliamentsofparticipating IntheirJoint & IonianInitiative(AII). Speakers of Parliament of the Adriatic the 16th ConferenceofPresidents/ the Joint Statement marks the end of areas of the AII states. The adoption of strengthening cooperationinpriority ies asanimportantresourcefor of theAIIstatesandparliamentarybod- vantageous andstrategiccommitment as a common denominator, and an ad- Initiative deals with tourism and culture Parliament oftheAdriaticandIonian The XVIConferenceofPresidents • ssels-20-february-2019 eusair-governing-board-held-in-bru mittee-of-senior-officials-and-9th- www.aii-ps.org/news/298-ii-aii-com lighted. 4th EUSAIR Forumneedstobehigh Catania Declaration and the the discussion on a follow-up of the Regarding thecoreofEUSAIRGB, by itsneighbouringcountryGreece. edonia, whichwaswarmlywelcomed tended totheRepublicofNorthMac- milestone becauseoftheinvitationex- February 2019.Thismeetingisalsoa Board takes place in Brussels on 20-21 18-19 March,Budva,Montenegro:

Meeting oftheEUSAIRGoverning upcoming The The -

experiences among the countries of the experiences among thecountriesof achieved results,aswelltoexchange portunity to discuss key challenges and cludes thatthiseventhasbeen an op- environment. MinisterJanovic con- play inbuildingapeacefulandsecure people and the very important role they the importanceofworkingwithyoung emphasizes thattheOSCErecognizes OSCE MissioninMontenegrofurther bassador MaryseDaviet,Headofthe gration oftheWestern Balkans. Am- in theregion,aswellEuropeaninte- promotes economicandsocialgrowth Janovic, who underlines how the AII the MinistryofSportandYouth, Nikola ganizations. Themeetingisopenedby institutions and non-governmental or and regional organizations, domestic Adriatic-Ionian Initiative,international representatives ofthecountries area, bringingtogethermorethan50 cooperation intheabove-mentioned Countries, with the aim of intensifying resentatives fromAIIParticipating gathers forthefirsttimepolicyrep- cross cooperation in the field of youth, ing theregionalandAdriatic-Ionian Ministerial Conferenceonstrengthen- • macedonia official-visit-to-the-republic-of-north- www.aii-ps.org/news/302-aii-joint- and potential candidate countries. pean integration process for candidate for pavingthewaytowardsEuro- bourly relations, which is instrumental gional cooperationandgoodneigh- strong role of the AII in enhancing re- North MacedoniainEUSAIR;andthe SAIR; stepsaheadfortheinclusionof close connectionbetweenAIIandEU- tract newparticipatingcountries;the ther demonstratedbyitspowertoat- of theAdriaticandIonianInitiative,fur- their greatsatisfactionwiththeliveliness North Macedonia.Thepartiesdiscuss ticipating country–the Republicof grin Chairmanship tothenewAIIpar- Secretariat togetherwiththeMontene- joint officialvisitoftheAIIPermanent • the-aii-budva-18-19-march-2019 rence-of-presidents-of-parliaments-of- www.aii-ps.org/news/301-xvi-confe Region. Strategy fortheAdriaticandIonian tation of strategic projects from the EU 4-5 April,Budva,Montenegro:The 27-29 March,Skopje,Macedonia:A -

rica-april-24 on-environmental-protection-podgo www.aii-ps.org/news/307-round-table- on these marine areas for MSP. zone managementaswellofthe data rine areasforthesustainablecoastal ment, theimportanceofprotected ma- the integratedcoastalzonemanage- ment protection, national experiences of Agenda inthefieldofmarineenviron- regional initiativesandtheEuropean to interlinkagesbetweenMediterranean, in thisfield.Itdiscussestopicsrelated implementation ofEuropeanlegislation regional cooperationfortheeffective ing theimportanceofsubregionaland and marinespatialplanning,emphasiz- in thefieldofmarineenvironment edge, experiencesandbestpractices planning (MSP)aimstoshareknowl- ing aframeworkformaritimespatial tive (MSFD)andthedirectiveestablish- the MarineStrategyFrameworkDirec- ment andeffectiveimplementationof for theprotectionofmarineenviron- regional andsub-regionalcooperation The Roundtableontheimportanceof • rica-4-april-2019 table-on-tourism-and-culture-podgo www.aii-ps.org/news/304-aii-round- UNESCO World Heritage List. sculpted, medievaltombstonesonthe Herzegovina, which,together,classified tenegro, Serbia,CroatiaandBosnia cooperation amongfourcountries,Mon- presented. This isacaseofregional study “Stecci-medievaltombstones” is UNESCO World HeritageSite,” panel “Cultural tourism in relation to cultural andtouristroutes. Inthesecond in theinterpretationofheritagealong nologies, aswellstorytellingmodels Programme, theimpactofdigitaltech- cuss theCulturalTourism Development among othertopics,participantsdis- Culture intheAdriatic-IonianRegion,” one “InterdependenceofTourism and Culture holdstwopanels.Inthisfirst The AII RoundTable onTourism and • the-field-of-youth-4-5-april-budva adriatic-ionian-cross-cooperation-in- strengthening-the-regional-and- ministerial-conference-on- www.aii-ps.org/news/305-aii- the position of young people. region regardingtheimprovementof 24 April,Podgorica, Montenegro: 4 April,Podgorica, Montenegro: a case

readiness ofparticipating countries to Budva Declarationandreaffirms the Ionian Region(EUSAIR)adopts the and EuropeanStrategyfortheAdriatic- Ministers oftheAdriatic-IonianInitiative meeting oftheCouncilForeign Affairs • save-the-date annual-forum-budva-7-8-may-2019- www.aii-ps.org/news/299-4th-eusair- future prospects of the Strategy. ism -andshareconcreteideasonthe ronmental QualityandSustainableTour- Growth, ConnectingtheRegion,Envi- SAIR’s fourthematicpillars–Blue discuss funding mechanisms for EU- participants alsohavethechanceto field ofTourism andBlueGrowth.The Forum focuses on topics related to the held in Catania in May 2018. This year’s progress madesincethe3rdForum ity ofEUSAIRandreflectonthe tional annualeventaimstoraisevisibil- velopment fortheregion.” Thetradi- slogan “Integrationforthepeople,de- and Universitiestakesplaceunderthe Ionian Chambers of Commerce, Cities SAIR) and2ndForaoftheAdriatic the AdriaticandIonianRegion (EU- joint 4th ForumoftheEUStrategyfor • on-transports-april-24-budva www.aii-ps.org/news/308-round-table- area. ing awiderangeofstakeholdersinthe tions andmaritimetraffic,thusbenefit- tential tofurtherdevelopportconnec- Adriatic Ionianregionhasagreatpo- manent Secretariat stressesthatthe topics. FilippoAlabardifromtheAII Per- ropean projectsconnectedtothese vices, aswellfordisseminatingEu- and freightforwarding,portser- tourism development, port management gency response,cruiseandnautical Control, pollutionpreventionandemer- Port State Information System (VTMIS), ing theVessel Traffic Monitoring and experiences andbestpracticesregard- Table isanopportunitytoexchange frastructures andservices.TheRound well asontheimprovementofportin- ports in the Adriatic-Ionian region, as opment ofthetrafficnetworkbetween of maritimetraffic,includingthedevel- the connectivityofportsandmonitoring Round Table on Transport focuses on • 8 May, Budva, Montenegro: The 7-8 May, Budva,Montenegro:The 24 April,Budva,Montenegro:The

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 403 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 404 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices ment. TheRepublic ofSerbiawillcon- line ministriesoftheSerbiangovern - comprises 22membersfromdifferent Region (establishedin2014) which ropean UnionintheAdriaticand Ionian Group fortheCooperationwith Eu- Republic ofSerbiarenewstheWorking stakeholders, thegovernmentof and assurecooperationwithallrelevant provide acontinuousexchangeofviews tion ofthepresidency, aswellto dination withinthecountryfordura- June 2019. In order to ensure full coor- gion (EUSAIR)fromMontenegroon1 Strategy fortheAdriaticandIonianRe- chairmanship oftheEuropeanUnion Adriatic andIonianInitiative(AII)the sumes theyear-longpresidencyof The Republic of Serbia formally as- Chairmanship Main Events during the Serbian meeting-may-8-budva ionian-council-eusair-ministerial- www.aii-ps.org/news/312-adriatic-and- for the economies of all countries. well astodeterminingbettersolutions opment oftheAdriatic-Ionianregion,as contribute to the socio-economic devel- activities intheframeworkofAII/EUSAIR in thisrealm,underliningthefactthat one ofthemostsuccessfulEUpolicies Adriatic Ionianmacro-regionalpolicyis meeting. All panellists agree that the in BudvaattheendofMinisterial the region,” isalsoheldonthesameday gration forthepeople,development The ministerial panel, on the topic “Inte- eration andsustainabledevelopment. contributes tofosteringregionalcoop- strong long-standing partnership and Secretary Generals. Thesigning seals a tive Secretariatissignedbythetwo Central European Initiative (CEI) Execu tiative PermanentSecretariatandthe ing betweentheAdriaticandIonianIni- Meeting, aMemorandum of Understand and IonianCouncil/EUSAIRMinisterial more, aftertheclosingofAdriatic pating countryoftheInitiative.Further- which nowbecomesthetenthpartici- the AII to the Republic of San Marino, countries agreetotheenlargementof of theregion.Additionally, themember strengthening theEuropeanperspective framework ofregionalinitiatives,while further intensifycooperationinthe - - 12-june-2019 foreign-affairs-meeting-in-trieste-11- tary-general-attending-cei-ministers-of- www.aii-ps.org/news/315-aii-secre ing between the CEI and the AII. ing oftheMemorandumUnderstand - Declaration welcomestherecent sign- the Youth.” Furthermore, the Trieste and developmentofa“CEIAgendafor tablishment ofaCEILocalDimension; up areagreedupon,i.e.apossiblees- salient initiatives uponwhichtofollow further cooperation.Inparticular,two Declaration, witnesses theadoptionofTrieste cussed duringthemeeting.Themeeting tor connectionsarethetopicsdis- stronger infrastructure and energy sec- ruption, sustainabledevelopment, eration.” pean standards,strongregionalcoop- common vision, shared values, Euro- Initiative atthirtyandtowardsthefuture: ering is titled the der theItalianCEIpresidency. Thegath- Trieste (Italy)on11-12June2019 un- ber Statesholdtheirannualmeetingin ters ofForeignAffairstheCEIMem- • ship-2019-2020/download me-and-priorities-serbian-chairman www.aii-ps.org/chairmanship/program bour emigration. creasing employmentandreducingla- improving economicconnectivity, in- merce and industry aimed, primarily, at operation betweenchambersofcom- special focuswillbeplacedontheco- ment theminpractice.Inthatcontext, tained effortswillbeinvestedtoimple- deemed apracticalnecessity, andsus- presidency/chairmanship priorities are economic andfinancialsegmentsinthe mentioned priorities,theinclusionof purpose of implementing the above- Youth Forthe ChamberOrchestra,etc.). example, the establishment of the AII tourism and youth exchange (like, for ture andcreativeindustries,sustainable tion ofcooperationintheareascul- as: infrastructureconnectivity, promo- activities onseveralkeypriorities,such therefore, necessarytofocusfuturejoint agreed andcommencedactivities.Itis, ture, relying,certainly, on the already at strengtheningAIIasaregionalstruc- regional cooperationand,inparticular, tinue itsactivitiesaimedatdeveloping 11-12 June,Trieste, Italy:TheMinis- Security, thefightagainstcor- including specific areas for including specificareasfor “Central European

sion-ancona-27-29-september adriatic-ionian-games-for-social-inclu www.aii-ps.org/news/319-a-ni-m-us- mentation of its Action Plan. holders infostering the sound imple gion- andthekeyroleofitsmain stake- Strategy fortheAdriaticandIonian Re- on therelevanceofEUSAIR–theEU Kiosk isorganizedtoraiseawareness tural cohesion. Within the event, an Info- sport andtostrengthensocialcul- spreading of best practices in inclusive collaboration, capacitybuildingand volved will contribute to improving the network of cities and organizations in- ies andvolunteerorganizations.The gion thankstotheempowermentofcit- cohesion withintheAdriaticIonianRe- played bysportinsocialinclusionand is tostrengthentherole of A.NI.M.US sporting disciplines.Themainobjective Danube Region compete in10 different of theAdriaticandIonian,Baltic (15-16 yearsold)fromsixteencountries Union wheremorethan1,000athletes asmus+ Programme of the European Sion isaprojectco-fundedbytheEr- Adriatic IoNIanGaMesForSocialInclU- • ceremony mediterranean-festival-2019-award- www.aii-ps.org/news/317-adriatic- ticular focus on social issues. dialogue betweencultureswithapar- as anelement of peace, knowledge and ognition ofthevaluecultureandart Avitabile. Theawardaimstobearec- the ItalianmusicianandcomposerEnzo nean andtheBalkans,isattributedto to cultureandrightsintheMediterra- year tofigureswhocommitthemselves iterranean Prize,anawardgivenevery Mediterranean. The 2019 Adriatic Med over theAdriatic-IonianRegionand musicians, writersandartistsfromall Ancona bringstogetheranumberof Ionian Initiative.Theculturalfestivalin Permanent SecretariatoftheAdriatic are organizedincollaborationwiththe logues betweenthetwoshores,” and The meetingsgounderthetitle“Dia- that liesbetweenItalyandtheBalkans. ideas andfoodfor thought onthatarea Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion, to offer learn -andbetterunderstandthe takes placethroughthreemeetingsto Adriatic MediterraneanFestival2019 • 27-29 September, Ancona, Italy: The 29-31 August,Ancona,Italy:The - -

Force Emigration,” where the main ber, isthe“AII RoundTable onLabour third, whichtakesplaceon21Novem - cussed inthebackground.And the carbon energytechnologies,are dis- ergy systems,andcommitmentto low- change, increasing digitalization of en- including theresponsetoglobalclimate integration. priorities regulatory measuresforbetterregional on newandproposedprojects Adriatic-Ionian countries.Thefocusis connections andmarketsthroughthe topic iselectricityandnaturalgasinter- and IonianRegion,” where themain ergy Inter-ConnectionsintheAdriatic second isthe“AII RoundTable onEn- research and technologytransfer.The interuniversity cooperationineducation, the programmesand tools to support Uniadrion cooperationproposalsand tion intheAdriatic-IonianRegionand the situationofinter-universitycoopera- gion andtakesplaceinordertodiscuss eration” in the AdriaticandIonian Re- Round Table onInter-University Coop- vember inBelgrade.Thefirstisthe“AII taneously between20and21ofNo- Three AII round tables take place simul- • -2019 -of-senior-officials-belgrade-21-october www.aii-ps.org/news/320-aii-committee science and education. growth andcooperationinthefieldsof well asenvironmentalprotection,blue tainable tourismandyouthexchange,as of cultureandcreativeindustries,sus- promotion ofcooperationintheareas priorities: infrastructureconnectivity, the focus is also reserved for several key sponses tolabour migration. Particular dialogue withcivilsocietyandonre- onthe Macroregion andvice-versa), coastal areasandthehinterlandof terconnectivity sector(betweenthe and IonianRegion,” focusingonthein- with the“EUStrategyforAdriatic important connectionandintegration 2019 –31May2020)emphasizingthe chairmanship (fortheperiod1June tive calendar of events of the Serbian together with the Priorities and indica- Programme ofactivitiesispresented place. TheAIIPermanentSecretariat under theSerbianchairmanshiptakes first AIICommitteeofSeniorOfficials • 20-21 November,Belgrade,Serbia: 21 October, Belgrade, Serbia:The

Cooperation Treaty; 1995 Draft Agree- the 1950JointDefenceandEconomic AmongtheLAS mainachievements, ty). spect ofeachmemberstate’s sovereign- homeland) andArabnationalism (re Pan-Arabism (theprincipleofan Arab ditionally embodies both the idea of social welfareandhealth.TheLAStra- ics, communication,culture,nationality, operation onissuesregardingeconom- and Yemen) agreedtoseekcloserco- sjordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, bers of the League (Egypt, Syria, Tran- of common interest. The founding mem- nation amongitsmembersonmatters 1945 withtheaimofimprovingcoordi- ciation of 22 countries established in The LeagueofArabStatesisanasso- 5. TheLeagueofArab States belgrade-17-december table-on-environmental-protection- www.aii-ps.org/news/325-aii-round- eral environmental agreements. acquis andthecorrespondingmultilat- al legislation,theEUnatureprotection mitments and obligationsundernation- focus onparticipatingcountries’ com- carnivores. Thediscussionplacesthe ments ofcentral importancefor large national habitatsandlandscapeele- management plans,inparticulartrans- tems throughthedevelopmentofjoint tion ofterrestrialhabitatsandecosys- addresses theprotectionandpreserva- Ionian Region” and its Action Plan. It with the “EU Strategyfor the Adriatic- takes placewithascopefullyaligned ticular referencetolargecarnivores” der habitats and ecosystems with par- joint management plansforcross-bor- tection on the topic AII RoundtableonEnvironmentalPro- • 21-november-2019 on-labour-force-emigration-belgrade- www.aii-ps.org/news/323-round-table- belgrade-november-20 table-on-inter-university-cooperation- www.aii-ps.org/news/321-aii-round- november-2019 the-adriatic-ionian-region-belgrade-20- table-on-energy-inter-connections-in- www.aii-ps.org/news/322-aii-round- tion in the Adriatic-Ionian Region. topic ofdiscussioniseconomicmigra- 17 December, Belgrade, Serbia: The 17 December, Belgrade, Serbia: The “ Development of - Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1887 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ Development 2030. the ArabMediaMapforSustainable Cairo International Book Fair 2019, and of honourinthe50thsession of the pation oftheArabLeague” asaguest “Arab MediaStrategy” and“the partici- sue,” “theArabMediaHonor Charter,” ent items,includingthe“Palestinianis- Committee for Arab Media on 13 differ - 92nd regularsessionoftheStanding submitted toitfromthemeetingof parties discuss therecommendations Arab InformationMinisterswherethe the ExecutiveOfficeofCouncil meeting ofthe10th)regularsession Ministry ofInformation,organizesa incooperationwiththeSaudi Sector), Arab States(MediaandCommunication General SecretariatoftheLeague • Main Events in 2019 en/Pages/default.aspx Further information:www.lasportal.org/ membership in the League). servers toSyria(aftersuspendingits the firsttimeinhistory, amissionofob- Gaddafi’s forcesinLibyaandsent,for tives: itbackedtheUNactionagainst occasion toproposeactionsandinitia- dle East and North Africa offered an tiative. The2011 Arab revolts intheMid- able consensusontheArabPeaceIni- members. In2002itachievedremark dysfunction anddisunityamongits Araby. TheArableaguestruggleswith July 2016,whosucceededNabilel- the EgyptianAhmedAboulGheitsince body oftheLeague.TheCurrentSGis body of the Council and administrative tivities oftheLeague.Itisexecutive General Secretariatrunsthedailyac- sion at therequestof two members. The but it may also convene a special ses- twice ayear,inMarchandSeptember size ofthecountry. TheCouncilmeets state has one vote, regardlessofthe erally foreignministers.Eachmember representatives of member states,gen- League istheCouncil,composedof be mentioned. The highest body of the ment onCombattingTerrorism, should struction; and the 1999 Arab Agree zone free of all weapons of mass de- ment on turning the Middle East into a 9 January, Riyadh,SaudiArabia:The - -

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 405 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 406 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices Arab League,to enhancingIraq’sin- taches tosupportingthework of the great importancethattheIraqistate at- keen toemphasizehisroleregarding the Iraqi people, while the Iraqi minister was and toachievetheaspirationsof allthe suffered andthewaragainstterrorism, effects oftheyearscrisisthatIraqhas efforts madetoovercomethenegative tinued supportfortheIraqistatein keen toconfirmtheArabLeague’scon- indicates thattheSecretary-Generalis fields duringthenextperiod.Al-Hakim tus forjointArabactionindevelopment cal workthatwouldrepresentanimpe- programmes andjointplanspracti- tance ofleavingthesummitwithresults, period, withanemphasisontheimpor- and Arabcitizensduringthecurrent the urgentprioritiesofArabregion eign AffairsofIraq.Thepartiesdiscuss mad AliAl-Hakim,theMinisterofFor- the 17thofthismonthwithDrMuham- 2019, theSecretary-Generalmeetson capital Beirutfrom17to20January which isbeinghostedbytheLebanese mit: EconomicandSocialSummit, lines of the 4th Arab Development Sum - of theLAS,isconducting,onside- Ahmed AboulGheit,Secretary-General the frameworkofmeetingsthatMr • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1897 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ tinian refugees. stressful living conditions facing Pales- support UNRWA indealingwiththe in Beirut,aswellhowtowork will beheldonthe20thofthismonth Economic andSocialSummit,which reference tothe4thArabDevelopment: global conventionforrefugees,with the frameworkofdealingwithnew the fieldofcoordinatingArabactionin that effortsaretobemadebyLASin and outsidetheArabregion.Affifiadds needs ofrefugeesandArabs,inside especially withregardtoaddressingthe sioner inNewYork inSeptember2017, tary-General andtheHighCommis- Understanding signed by the Secre based ontheupdatedMemorandumof parties exchange views between them High CommissionerforRefugees.The Mr FilippoGrandi,theUnitedNations receives League ofArabStates(LAS), AboulGheit, Secretary-Generalofthe • 17 January, Beirut,Lebanon:Within 14 January, Cairo, Egypt: Mr Ahmed - gional interventions thathavenegative working tostopinternationaland re- is keentoalsostresstheimportance of The spokesmanstatesthatAboul Gheit lions ofSyriansfornearlyeight years. with thehumantragedysuffered by mil- tegrity, andensuresanintegrated deal people, preservesSyria’sterritorialin- meets theaspirationsofallSyrian a peaceful solution to the crisis that also stresstheimportanceofreaching first andforemosttoanArabstate.They LAS’s rolein dealing withit, as it relates opments oftheSyriancrisisand exchange ofviewsonthelatestdevel- The meetingwitnessesanextensive General oftheUnitedNationsforSyria. new SpecialEnvoyoftheSecretary LAS, receivesMrGeirPedersen,the Aboul Gheit,Secretary-Generalofthe • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1914 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ lic of Egypt. 25 February2019,intheArabRepub- the firstArab-Europeansummiton24- ing on4February2019inBrusselsand holding ofthe5thjointministerialmeet- regard, the two sides welcome the propriate regionalresponse.Inthis Arab-European Partnershipasan ap- also welcometheexpansionof stability oftheircommonregion.They security challengesthatthreatenthe common political, economic, social and tance ofworkingtogethertofacethe Emphasis is also placed on the impor- and displacedpersons,aswellIran. ism, issues of immigration, refugees Libya, inadditiontocombatingterror- developments inSyria,Iraq,Yemen and ways toadvancethepeaceprocess, cial focusonthePalestinianissueand topics ofcommoninterest,withaspe- their 7thmeetingwheretheydiscuss the Council of the European Union hold the Political andSecurityCommitteeof Arab Statesandtheambassadorsof manent delegatestotheLeagueof • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1904 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ joint Arab work. the League’sworkandinserving retary-General inthefieldofrevitalizing to itssupportfortheeffortsofSec- of theLeagueinvariousfields,andalso volvement in the activities and meetings 27 January, Cairo,Egypt:MrAhmed 23 January, Cairo,Egypt:Theper- Agreement onthe StatusofRefugees countries is held to study the “Arab tries ofjusticeandinteriorthe Arab perts andrepresentativesofthe minis- meeting ofthejointcommittee of ex- • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1944 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ regional integration. concerns withoutcompromisingSyria’s ment helps respond to Turkish security ia in1998,especiallysincetheagree- was reached between Turkey and Syr- a returntothe“Adana” agreement that after the American withdrawal may be tion tothesituationinnorthernSyria principle, indicatingthatthebestsolu- eign presence on Syrian territory in firms thattheLeaguerejectsanyfor- the MunichSecurityConference,af- eral oftheLAS,inhisinterventionat Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary Gen- • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1930 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ UNRWA. port for the Palestinian people through field ofhumanitarianandeconomicsup appreciation of the European role in the rusalem as its capital. He expresses an basis ofthe1967borderswithEastJe- ognize theStateofPalestineon calling onEuropeancountriestorec- bassy tooccupiedEastJerusalem,and by afewcountriestomovetheirem- regarding theunilateral measures taken tional conflicts,expressinghisregret top ofthelistunresolvedinterna- that the Palestinian issue remains at the and Europeansides,emphasizes strategic dialogue between the Arab working tostrengthencooperationand which hereferstotheimportanceof Arab /EuropeanMinisterialMeetingin a speechatthebeginningof5th al oftheLeagueArabStates,delivers Ahmed AboulGheit,Secretary-Gener- • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1917 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ elimination. roots, therebyensuringitscomplete the threatofterrorisminSyriaatits to continuework towards eradicating crisis, andmakesreferencetotheneed played amajorrole inprolonging the bearing inmindthattheseinterventions consequences andrepercussions, 24 February, Cairo,Egypt:The 6th 17 February, Munich,Germany:Mr 4 February, Brussels,Belgium: Mr. - Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1957 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ Development. fields; andtheArabFundforHealth specialized trainingcoursesin health meetings, committees,activities and port for member states hosting council and crimefortheMENAregion;sup- US’s regionalofficeconcerningdrugs General Secretariat of the LAS and of understanding signed between the in theArabregion;memorandum of mothers,childrenandadolescents Republic of Egypt; improving the health tory ResearchsubmittedbytheArab Arab CenterforMedicalandLabora- of Algeria;theprojecttoestablish by thePeople’sDemocraticRepublic and ResearchonHIV/AIDSsubmitted lish theArabCenterforCooperation Health Sciences;theprojecttoestab- for theAuthoringandTranslating of Geneva /May2019;theArabCenter Council ofArabHealthMinistersin and donation;theunifiedspeechof tissue and human cell transplantation Ministerial Foruminthefieldoforgan, Transfusion Services;theannual Arab tries andtheArabAuthorityforBlood unify health legislation in Arab coun Health Day and the Arab Doctor Award, field; the proposal to celebrate Arab the Arabmemberstatesinhealth cessful andpioneeringexperiencesof addressed inthissessionare:thesuc- its ExecutiveOffice.Themaintopics Council ofArabHealthMinistersand ganizes the 51stregularsessionof Council ofArabHealthMinisters)or- Aid (theTechnical Secretariatofthe partment ofHealthandHumanitarian • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1951 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ periencing. dren thatsomeArabcountriesareex- of themassexodusmillionschil- remedying thedangersandchallenges it constitutesanimportantsteptowards tween Arabcountries,andthefactthat nomenon oftheflowrefugeesbe- present time,ofaddressingthephe- tus, giventheutmostimportance,at tion fortheRegulationofRefugeeSta- tivate andmodernizetheArabConven- of theeffortsArabLeaguetoac- this committeefallswithinthecontext in theArabcountries.” The formationof 26 February, Cairo,Egypt:TheDe- - therefore begiven thenecessaryatten- backbone ofArabsocietyand must institutions, giventhatyouthare the training opportunitiesinArab media the opportunitytobenefitfromjob and of themediaandtoprovidethem with people in strengthening the social role Thisforum aims toinvolve young ment). munication Sector/MediaDepart- organized byLAS(MediaandCom- sion oftheArabMediaYouth Forumis • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1972 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ and uphold Arab national security. tional terrorismandwaystocombatit in theArabregion,aswellinterna- protect womenduringarmedconflicts work oftheEmergencyCommitteeto Arab countriesandstrengtheningthe for internally displaced people in the en. Thecouncilalsodiscussessupport in thesituationSyria,LibyaandYem- dition tofollowingupondevelopments in theoccupiedArabterritories;ad- water security and Israel’s use of water tion of theArabpeace initiative; Arab and theArab-Israeliconflict;activa- developments ofthePalestinianissue notably: thefollow-upofpolitical cusses many items on the agenda, most the ministeriallevelisheldwhereitdis- States in its 151st regular session at of theCouncilLeagueArab • Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1967 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ Robbery. Combat MaritimePiracyandArmed dren; theArabProtocoltoPreventand Crimes, EspeciallyWomen andChil- tocol forCombatingHumanTrafficking bating TheirTrafficking; theArabPro- and TissuesPreventingCom- and Transplantation ofHumanOrgans Agreement forRegulatingtheTransfer Combating HumanCloning;theArab Arab AgreementforPreventingand following agreements are signed:the tion institutions. In addition, each of the terrorism issuedbythejointArabac- and decisionsrelatedtocombating vating thestrategiesandagreements security andjudicialagreements,acti- among othertopics,:activatingArab Ministers isheldwheretheydiscuss, Arab CouncilofJusticeandInterior • 9 March,Cairo,Egypt:The8thses- 6 March,Cairo,Egypt:Themeeting 3 March:TheJointmeetingofthe countries such as Cyprus;the new ligence; Securityissuesinsome EU digital transformationandartificial intel- rights, theEUGender Equality Strategy, how tomanagethemthough social economic challengeswithintheEU and withdrawal oftheUKfromEU; the several issues including: the regrettable of theSouthernEUCountriestackles declaration issuedafterthe5thSummit • Main Meetings in 2019 declaration_athens_summit.pdf topontiki.gr/sites/default/files/ Athens Declaration2016:www. migration. youth, andaddressingthechallengeof rope, strengtheningprogrammesfor tering growthandinvestmentinEu- ranean andwithAfricancountries,fos- reinforcing cooperationintheMediter- nal andexternalsecurityofEurope, ties andmeasures:ensuringtheinter- therefore proposethefollowingpriori- tolerance andsolidarity. Thecountries democracy andruleoflaw, aswell ing andupholditsvaluesoffreedom, challenges theMemberStatesarefac- ergy inordertoaddressthecommon convinced thattheEUneedsfreshen- mitment to European unity. They are and Spainunderlinetheirstrongcom- France, Greece,Italy, Malta,Portugal (HoSG) oftheRepublicCyprus, Heads ofStateandGovernment tries. With the Athens Declaration, the sponse fromsouthernEuropeancoun- Euro-skepticism needaunitedre- Mediterranean, aswellBrexitand flows, theinstabilityinsouthern recovery fromthecrisis,highmigration dialogue onthefutureofEU.The cooperation andtocontributethe in Malta, with theaim ofenhancing their Summit tookplaceinSeptember2016 The 1st Mediterranean EUCountries’ European Union Countries 6. SummitoftheSouthern Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=1975 www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/ their society. ment fordevelopmentandprogressin tion, sothattheycanbecomeanele- 29 January, Nicosia,Cyprus:the

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 407 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2020 408 Other Cooperation Initiatives in the Mediterranean Appendices nicosia-declaration/ https://southeusummit.com/about/ Mediterranean. challenges with a special focus on the ity toact;andRegionalGlobal ment of its strategic autonomy and abil- the EUGlobalStrategyandenhance- European AsylumSystem;Terrorism; for theeffectivereformofcommon Turkey relations;Migrationand theneed Climate change;Energysecurity;EU- proposed bytheEuropeancommission; Multiannual FinancialFramework(MFF) crisis, especiallySyrianRefugees;En- ern Mediterraneanstates;theSyrian ropean industry;MigrationintheSouth- EU-Africa Alliance; Challenges of Eu- Mediterranean region; the Libyan crisis; Mediterranean Basin; Securityinthe the eurozone; Climate change in the Sibiu informalsummitof9May2019; the 10commitmentsagreedonin issues including:thededicationtofulfil Southern EUCountriestacklesseveral tion issuedafterthe6thSummitof • 29 May, Valletta, Malta:thedeclara- valletta-declaration/ https://southeusummit.com/about/ Mediterranean region. States butalsowiththerestof interest not onlyamongEUMember cooperation inareasofmutualstrategic in the Southern Mediterranean; sectoral (RescEU); Technology andinnovation tation oftheCivilProtectionMechanism with Turkey; EUislands;theimplemen- tional law;theAssociationAgreement exploitation inlinewithEUandinterna- ergy efficiencyandnaturalresource