The Dialogue 5+5 and the 5+5 Defence Initiative

Abstract

The "5+5 Dialogue" is the oldest active forum for dialogue and cooperation between Western Mediterranean European countries and the Maghreb countries. Created as an informal mechanism with modest goals, the 5+5 Dialogue in recent years has increased its activity in a significant number of fields related to the security of the Western Mediterranean region, in particular on defense issues, through the development of the so-called "5+5 Defense Initiative". The article analyzes the special characteristics of these initiatives for dialogue and cooperation, their strengths and weaknesses. The possible development of these mechanisms, their limitations, and their future prospects are also studied.