Emerging Security Environment in the Mediterranean

These concepts changed from outside threats through the Strait of Hormuz to the increased territorial disputes within the the region, of which,·the Kuwait Crisis of 1990-91 brought the outside military presence to the region for the protection of security while prolongation of that military presence can itself become a source of tension and insecurity in the region. [...] On the other hand, given Abu Musa and the two Tunb islands' location in the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz, and given that both the regional countries of the Persian Gulf and the oil-consuming countries of the industrial world depend heavily on peace'and security in the Strait of Hormuz, a one sided outside support for either side in this argument against the other could easily lead to a. [...] One of the most important factor contributing to the confusion surrounding the concept of the Mediterranean is the lack of political, economic, social and cultural cohesion in the region. [...] Indeed, one of the leading factors in the evolution of the strategic environment in the Mediterranean will be the future of NATO's own approach to the region and individual states in the South. [...] The subsequent debate on the establishment of a Euro-Med Charter for Peace and Stability as "a functional instrument for the implementation of the principles of the Barcelona Declaration" has came to the firm conclusion of setting up an "Enhanced Political Dialogue" (EPD) that would work as the key instrument for the implementation of the EMP.