The Rhodes Conference for Security and Stability was concluded on Friday, with all participating countries expressing a desire to upgrade the initiative to an annual forum for dialogue, as well as its expansion to include the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. An initiative launched by Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, the conference was welcomed by participating states and resulted in commitments for practical actions that will be prepared for the coming year.
“We agreed to hold the conference every year and that is must be based on principles. The first principle is that we do not want intervention by third parties in the region. We can cooperate with and use help from third parties but the region must develop its own internal relations, on the basis of trust and a positive agenda that will develop the networks and public goods in the region,” Kotzias said in a press conference afterwards.
The idea of a positive approach for security in the southeast Mediterranean, through cooperation networks in all sectors between Mediterranean countries, was warmly received by participants, who said it provides new tools for bringing peoples and governments closer in an area normally associated as an arena for conflict and disputes.
The initiative also raised Greece’s prestige as “bridge-maker” between the European and Arab worlds and a country that contributes to the security and stability of the region.
In addition to standard issues such as migration, corruption, the fight against terrorism, energy networks and transports, intense interest was also expressed at the conference in the prospects of cooperation in commercial shipping to create a corridor linking north Africa to Europe via Egypt and the port of Thessaloniki, as well as in “green” technology and renewable energy sources. Participants also emphasized cooperation between universities and research institutes, in culture and youth issues.
The meeting concluded with six decisions for specific joint actions, such as cooperation between Italy and Libya in green technology and a decision to support a Film Festival on Mediterranean issues in Egypt.
The 11 countries taking part (Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Slovakia, Tunisia and UAE) signed a joint statement acknowledging the need to enhance constructive dialogue and continuous cooperation and coordination between the countries of the region, including the European Neighborhood Policy and Union for the Mediterranean, on border security, human trafficking, terrorism, water and food security, energy and climate, interconnectiveness, infrastructure and disaster management.
Source: ANA-MPA
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