Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Diplomatic sources in Brussels, where NATO headquarters is located, reported that preparations and contacts are currently underway to launch the work of the NATO Secretary General's Envoy for the Southern Region, which includes the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel. These sources indicated that the appointment of the Special Envoy reflects NATO's interest in the Southern Region, which has witnessed successive developments in the recent period, most notably what is happening in the Palestinian territories, the Red Sea, Lebanon and Iran.

This came after Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced in the last week of last month the appointment of Javier Colomina as Special Representative for the Southern Region. He is Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and served as the Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for the Caucasus and Central Asia.

In a statement issued by NATO headquarters in Brussels, Mr. Stoltenberg welcomed the appointment and said: "The Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel regions are important to our alliance. Javier Colomina has extensive experience in dealing with NATO partners. His appointment will enhance the important work that NATO is doing in the South." As Special Representative for the South, Mr. Kolomina will serve as NATO’s focal point in the region. He will be responsible for coordinating and enhancing the visibility of NATO’s efforts in the South and will enhance engagement with partners.

At the Washington Summit last month, Allies agreed on an action plan that will increase NATO’s engagement in the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel. The appointment of the Special Representative is part of this plan.

NATO has appointed a Special Envoy for the “Southern Neighborhood”: a definition that refers to the southern flank of the Alliance. According to a joint statement issued by Alliance leaders at the Washington Summit, they emphasized the importance of NATO’s Southern Neighborhood as a source of opportunities for cooperation on issues of common concern. Through these partnerships, “the Alliance aims to promote greater security and stability in the Middle East and Africa, and contribute to peace and prosperity in the region.” At the Vilnius Summit, NATO began comprehensive reflection on threats, challenges and opportunities in the South. According to the joint statement, “An action plan for a stronger, strategic and results-oriented approach to the Southern Neighbourhood has been adopted, which will be updated regularly. We have asked the Secretary General to appoint a Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, who will serve as a focal point for NATO in the region and coordinate the Alliance’s efforts. “Existing tools of dialogue, vision and cooperation, such as the Defence Capability Enhancement Initiative, the Southern Hub, the NATO Regional Centre and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative in Kuwait, will be strengthened,” NATO leaders say. That’s not all. NATO will also open a liaison office in Amman, Jordan, and “at the request of the Iraqi authorities” will continue its mission in Iraq (NIMI). According to media reports in Rome, a Special Envoy for Africa and the Middle East has been appointed with force by Italy, which has long insisted that the Alliance’s southern flank should not be neglected. This person, alliance documents predict, should deal with ‘soft security’ issues ranging from maritime security to counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and security skills training in countries in the region.”