Organised by the NATO Defense College Foundation, in cooperation with the NATO Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Fondazione CSF, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and the NATO Defense College

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The Southern Neighbourhood remains central to NATO’s strategic outlook, encompassing the Wider Mediterranean and facing growing influence from external actors. Its stability is essential for Euro-Atlantic security, given its role in trade, energy transit, and digital connectivity.

Recent threats to undersea cables, shipping routes, and energy infrastructure highlight the need for a comprehensive 360-degree approach, reaffirmed at the 2024 NATO Summit. The appointment of a NATO Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood and the opening of the Amman liaison office mark concrete steps in this direction.

The European Union has also reinforced its engagement through the new DG MENA and a Commissioner for the Mediterranean, underscoring shared interests amid regional tensions. In this context, closer NATO–EU cooperation is vital, particularly for European members with direct regional stakes.

This High-Level Conference will feature keynote addresses and three panels on strategic developments, partnership evolution, and practical NATO–EU cooperation towards a credible European pillar in defence, crisis management, and cooperative security.