Navigating the Challenges of Mediterranean Security- SHADE MED 2023
EUNAVFOR MED and MARCOM jointly organized the SHADE MED conference, held between December 6 and 7 in Rome, with a focus on discussing Mediterranean maritime security. In its 12th edition, this year’s conference addressed the theme, underscoring the ongoing commitment to addressing and navigating the complex challenges associated with ensuring security in the Mediterranean region“Managing common challenges together in the Mediterranean”.
SHADE MED serves as a prominent platform for collective engagement, focusing on addressing the security complexities of the Mediterranean region. The current edition emphasizes the significance of shared responsibility in navigating the intricate issues that impact this vital area.
Key stakeholders, including MARCOM, EUNAVFOR MED, and a diverse range of participants from navies, diplomacy, the shipping community, academia, and more, have converged to contribute their voices. This collaborative effort aims to collectively address the core challenges affecting maritime security in the Mediterranean, reflecting a united and comprehensive approach to navigating the region’s multifaceted security landscape.
“SHADE MED represents the important roles that both NATO and EU play in the Mediterranean and the close relations built over many years, particularly in the maritime domain. However, we have space for improvement and be more efficient through better coordination in full agreement with the NATO-EU strategic partnership ;
Addressing common challenges in the Mediterranean necessitates a collective commitment to dialogue, collaboration, and innovative solutions. The conference not only mirrored the dedication of the European Union (EU) and NATO in tackling regional complexities but also underscored the importance of partnerships and collective action in ensuring the security and stability of the Mediterranean region.
“SHADE MED represents the important roles that both NATO and EU play in the Mediterranean and the close relations built over many years, particularly in the maritime domain” said Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre, Deputy Commander of Allied Maritime Command. “However we have space for improvement and be more efficient through better coordination in full agreement with the NATO-EU strategic partnership”.
Upon conclusion, MARCOM Deputy Commander Vice Admiral Didier Maleterre identified three key areas where MARCOM could explore additional measures to enhance efficiency.
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Firstly, he emphasized the importance of improving information sharing between EUNAVFOR MED and MARCOM. Secondly, he highlighted the need for unclassified information sharing between Operation Irini and the NATO Shipping Centre. Lastly, Vice Admiral Maleterre proposed extending the work of the NATO-EU Task Force on critical undersea infrastructure to the operational level, aiming to increase common understanding, all subject to appropriate political approval.
“SHADE MED is an open forum bridging three continents from North to South and East to West,” said Rear Admiral Stefano Turchetto, Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR MED. “Taken as an exemplary reference by the latest EU Maritime Security Strategy as an outstanding mechanism for sharing awareness and a great tool for multilateral engagement”.
