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NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue

Linking regions together

NATO is engaged in a dialogue with Mediterranean countries, which aims to create good relations and better mutual understanding and confidence throughout the region, promoting regional security and stability and explaining NATO’s policies and goals.

Currently, there are seven participants: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.

What does it mean in practice?

The Mediterranean Dialogue allows participating countries to cooperate with NATO and discuss security issues of common concern. Since the Dialogue is progressive, it allows the number of participants to grow and forms of cooperation to evolve. Participants are offered the same basis for cooperation and discussion with NATO and, in principle activities are self-funding although the Alliance can consider requests for financial assistance on a case-by-case basis.

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How did the policy evolve?

The basis of a dialogue with countries in the Mediterranean region was laid down at the Brussels Summit in January 1994, when Heads of State and Government stated that "… security in Europe is greatly affected by security in the Mediterranean" and that the agreements concluded in the Middle East peace process opened the way "to consider measures to promote dialogue, understanding and confidence-building between the countries in the region".

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Which bodies have a central role?

The Mediterranean Cooperation Group is the forum within which political discussions take place between NATO countries and individual participants. They are held on a regular basis and at different levels.

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