FACT SHEET
The 5+5 Dialogue, also known as the Western
Mediterranean Dialogue, is an informal gathering bringing together the Western
Mediterranean shores - France, Italy, Malta, Portugal and
Spain, and their North African neighbours Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia, as well as observer partners
comprising the European Union, Union for the Mediterranean, the Arab Maghreb
Union, the Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean, and the
Anna Lindh Foundation - an international organisation shared by 43 Euro-Mediterranean countries to bring people
together and promote intercultural dialogue.
Its raison
d’être is to secure closer cooperation between the EU countries and Maghreb
countries, aiming at improving cooperation and integration in the Mediterranean
region. This sub-regional framework is
very relevant in the context of security and stability in the Mediterranean, as
it further promotes dialogue, confidence building and information exchange in
the Western Mediterranean.
- Has Malta
ever hosted the 5+5 Foreign Ministers’ meeting before?
Malta has hosted the fifth 5+5 Foreign
Ministers Meeting in Malta in 2005. In 2012, Malta hosted the second 5+5 Summit
where, in the wake of the Arab Spring, the ten Heads of State/Government
adopted a wide-ranging declaration dealing with several themes ranging from
political dialogue to education and youth.
- When did Malta
assume the 5+5 co-Presidency?
Malta assumed the northern co-Presidency (from
France) in Algiers during the 14th Meeting of the 5+5 Foreign
Ministers that took place on 21 January 2018, for a two-year period.
- Where and
when were the five previous Ministerial Meetings held?
14th in Algiers (21 Jan 2018), 13th
in Marseille (28 Oct 2016), 12th in Tangiers (7 Oct 2015), 11th
in Lisbon (22 May 2014), 10th in Nouakchott (16 Apr 2013) and the 9th
in Rome (20 Feb 2012). The hosting of the Foreign Ministers’ Ministerial alternates between countries from
the north and the south of the Western Mediterranean.
- What were
the conclusions of the last Ministerial?
The Ministerial in Algiers focused on the main
challenges in the Mediterranean, in particular the promotion of inclusive and
shared development. On this occasion, the Ministers, as well as the partners
present, shared their desire to cooperate to provide practical answers to
issues connected with economic, social and sustainable development in the
region, by highlighting the need to create jobs.
- What outcome is expected from this Ministerial?
The
theme of this Ministerial will be “Working
Together: A Sustainable Future for the Western Mediterranean”. Fully
cognisant of the challenges that exist in our region, the meeting will provide
an opportunity for a frank exchange of views on important regional matters that
are of mutual and common interest such as the situation in Libya, the Middle
East Peace Process and the Sahel, as well as issues such as migration and
climate change. The meeting will also seek to address opportunities that can be
tapped on important and highly relevant issues such as sustainable development
and the role of youths.
- Is the 5+5 format limited only to
Foreign Affairs?
No, the 5+5 format covers cooperation in a
number of areas, including migration, defence, home affairs, tourism, finance,
education, environment/energy, culture and transport.
For accreditation please register online on: https://5plus5.tag.com.mt/f/media