Mediterranean dialogue
The Mediterranean Dialogue ( MD ) is a cooperation project between NATO and non-NATO countries in the Mediterranean region and was launched in 1994. It is in line with the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) and the Partnership for Peace (PfP) .
Goals of the MD
- Contribution to security and stability in the Mediterranean region
- Promotion of mutual understanding and trust
- Clearance of misunderstandings between MD countries and NATO
These goals are to be achieved primarily through good relations, confidence-building measures and an open interpretation of NATO's interests, goals and policies with regard to the Mediterranean region. Security and stability in Europe depend heavily on the security and stability of the Mediterranean region. With the help of the MD, existing efforts on the part of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EUROMED) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are to be strengthened and supplemented.
Member States
Since 1995, two countries have been added to the five founding states *. The MD currently includes the following nations:
| Egypt * | (February 1995) |
| Israel * | (February 1995) |
| Mauritania * | (February 1995) |
| Morocco * | (February 1995) |
| Tunisia * | (February 1995) |
| Jordan | (November 1995) |
| Algeria | (March 2000) |
At the NATO summit in Chicago in 2012, Libya was politically invited to join the MD “if it so wishes”. The answer is still pending.
Individual collaboration programs
With all MD countries, NATO has concluded individual cooperation programs (ICP) tailored to their respective needs. They cover common interests and allow deeper cooperation, for example in the areas of counter-terrorism and joint military exercises.
Principles
NATO's cooperation with the MD countries is based on the following principles:
- The MD is open to all Mediterranean countries.
- Each MD state decides independently how it wants to participate in the ICP.
- Each MD state has to make its contribution to the achievement of the common goals.
- NATO and MD countries should benefit from each other.
- Each MD state is free to choose the pace and extent of its cooperation with NATO.
- Each MD state supports the efforts of other international institutions for the region, e.g. EU , OSCE , 5 + 5 dialogue .
- Each MD state respects and respects the political and cultural diversity of the region and other states.