Security challenges and institutional initiatives in the Mediterranean

The end of the Cold created an optimistic atmosphere in Europe. It was expected that the new era would create more security and stability in Europe. But this optimism has not lasted for a long time because of the second Gulf War, the turmoil in Algeria and the crisis in the Balkans. The challenges were stemming from the south, rather than the east and central Europe and they were hard and soft security issues with an emphasis on the later. Western institutions –EU, NATO and OSCE- started initiatives to tackle with these problems. EU, because of its comprehensive approach to security, is the key player. The other institutions can complement the EU’s initiative to some extent. All the attempts are highly vulnerable to the developments in the Middle East Peace Process.