In a report published on Tuesday 7 May, a group of experts commissioned by NATO concluded that, in view of growing instability in the Alliance’s southern neighbourhoods, the Alliance needed to adopt “a renewed strategic approach”.
“This involves, first of all, a strengthening of NATO’s political dialogue about and with the region, through the language of partnerships, concrete cooperative solutions to shared interests and concerns, and a sustainable long-term commitment”, the report emphasises.
The experts put forward a number of recommendations, including the appointment of a Special Envoy for Southern Neighbourhoods, “to provide a clear focal point for partners and to oversee and streamline NATO’s wide-ranging activities with the region ensuring consistency, progress and proximity”.
They also propose to convene a special summit of all NATO’s southern partners to discuss proposals for further deepening regional cooperation, when conditions permit.
High-level dialogue on regional security and stability between the relevant international and regional organisations is also being promoted.
The experts also suggest that consideration should be given to setting up a Centre for Climate and Security in North Africa with a two-way exchange of expertise and a Centre of Excellence to combat the manipulation and interference of foreign information, and that it should be encouraged to open up its activities to partners.
The aim is to approve a package of measures by the time of the Washington summit in July.
To see the report, go to https://aeur.eu/f/c4h (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)