Bozinovic on the panel on security challenges in the Mediterranean

In his opening address, Minister Bozinovic commented on events in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East, and security challenges arising from them. Minister said that events in the Arab world and mass movements in these countries were an opportunity for the democratization of this part of the world, but also the challenge for security. “We are faced with security challenges,” said Minister Bozinovic, referring to the events in the Arab world, where he emphasized “that various marginal groups that could benefit from a change in the southern Mediterranean should not be underestimated”. “Terrorist group might use complex situation”, like the one in Yemen. And Croatia could be compromised because of its long sea border, he added. Europe can help the democratic transformation of North Africa, but with an understanding of culture and politics of the region”, said Bozinovic. “Changed situation in the Mediterranean also provides opportunities to help the peoples of North Africa and the Middle East that should also get the chance to develop their own societies as countries in other regions did in the earlier waves of democratization. Their profit can be our advantage so that we get a stable and democratically organized neighbourhood”, Bozinovic said.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianua said that it is necessary to help the people of North Africa so the democratization would not be the cause of instability. “We should not let extremists take advantage of the democratization process. EU must help the peoples of North Africa to create political and economic infrastructure, and investments are important for this, financial support is good, but it does not create the economy, but investments do”, he said. “Exacerbation of relations with Israel would have a negative impact on the peace process in the Middle East”, he said. The influx of a large wave of immigrants in southern EU countries “may be a reason to destabilize those countries that are already overloaded with immigrants, and are economically vulnerable and severely affected by the economic crisis”, the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

Stefanie Babst, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy pointed out that the events in the Arab world brought a new impetus for change in North Africa.