Departments

NATO-Med Dialogue

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    ​Based on the understanding that security in the Mediterranean is vital to assure the security of Europe NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue was launched in late 1994. The Dialogue framework encompasses 7 nations – Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Mauritania. It primarily takes place on a bilateral level (NATO+1) but also foresees regular multilateral meetings (NATO+7). One of the Mediterranean Dialogue's main goals is to create a basis for dialogue and cooperation in the sensitive field of security. 

     
     

     

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    ​The Mediterranean Dialogue is based upon the two pillars of political dialogue and practical cooperation. The latter is centered on an annual Work Program that includes seminars and other practical activities in various fields such as scientific and environmental cooperation. Several Israeli projects have been funded by the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Program for instance. It is a policy tool that enhances cooperation and dialogue, based on scientific research, innovation, and knowledge exchange.

    The Work Program also includes a military dimension with common military exercises, courses and academic activities. The MD is steered by NATO's Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee (previously by the Mediterranean Cooperation Group). ​ 

     

  • Key principles

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    The MD is based on the following key principles:

    ·         Non-discrimination of all partners

    ·         Self-differentiation for an approach tailored to the specific needs of each of the partner countries

    ·         Inclusiveness with all partners as equal shareholders of the cooperative effort

    ·         Two-way engagement with contributions from both sides, a regular consultation process and practical cooperation

    ·         Non-imposition as partners can choose the pace and extent of their cooperation

    ·         Complementarity and mutual reinforcement of other existing cooperation such as the EU's Union for the Mediterranean

    ·         Diversity in respect of the specific regional, cultural and political contexts of partners

  • Operation Active Endeavour and the Istanbul Summit

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    ​Following the terror attacks of 9/11 NATO recognized the specific contribution and the public and operational added value that can be brought by the Mediterranean nations in the field of the fight against terror. A main pillar of the cooperation in this field was NATO’s proposal to the Mediterranean nations to take part in NATO’s policing activities in the Mediterranean such as Operation Active Endeavour (OAE) that was launched shortly after 9/11. OAE aims to monitor shipping activities in the Mediterranean in order to help deter, defend, disrupt and protect against terrorist activity.

    During the Istanbul Summit in 2004, NATO started looking for support from non-NATO states for OAE and Israel accepted to take part in the operation. Modalities were finalized with the ratification of the Individual Cooperation Program (ICP) agreement. In this framework, Israel has for instance sent liaison officers to HQ MARCOM in Northwood following the signing of the tactical Memoranda of Understanding with NATO on the exchange of information.

    At the Istanbul Summit a new instrument was also introduced to the MD: The Mediterranean Dialogue Work Program (MDWP) is an essentially military tool and has been expanded with time to over more than 30 areas of cooperation and more than 700 activities and events yearly. This opened the way for stronger practical cooperation such as accelerated political dialogue, interoperability, defense reform, and fight against terror.

  • The Individual Partnership Cooperation Program (IPCP)

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    In spring 2005, NATO presented the Mediterranean nations the Individual Cooperation Program (ICP), which is a bilateral framework aimed to enable better planning of the cooperation with NATO. Israel was the first of the Mediterranean nations to accept NATO’s proposal to join the ICP and signed the agreement in October 2006. 

    The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs was opening the door for cooperation of Israel's security services and NATO in various fields such as counterterrorism, increasing the number of joint NATO-Israel military exercises, improving cooperation in the areas of armament and logistics, connecting Israel electronically to the NATO system, etc.

    The ICP has now been replaced by the Individual Partnership Cooperation Program (IPCP).​





  • The Lisbon Summit and current state of play

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    At the Lisbon Summit 2011, the new Strategic Concept was adopted with the active involvement of MD partners. It identifies cooperative security as one of the three key priorities for the Alliance and reaffirms the commitment of NATO and all MD partners to enhance political consultations and deepen cooperation.

    Current cooperation between Israel and NATO includes an e-Prime database that provides electronic access to MDWP allowing close monitoring of cooperation activities; the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center (EADRCC) that aims at improving partners' capacity in supporting NATO's response to crisis; the NATO Training Cooperation Initiative (NTCI) that includes the "NATO Regional Cooperation Course" on security challenges in the Middle East at the NATO Defense College in Rome and the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Program mentioned above.​​