21 February 2025, Rome, Italy – On the second day of the 19th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), delegates convened to review the work of the 1st Standing Committee on Political and Security-Related Cooperation, addressing key geopolitical and security challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions.
Sen. Alia Bouran (Jordan), Vice-President of PAM and President of the 1st Standing Committee, chaired the session, which featured comprehensive discussions on regional political and security developments, including counter-terrorism. In her opening remarks, Sen. Bouran referred to the “generational awakening” occurring in the PAM regions, with the youth’s determination to shape the future.
Regarding the developments in the Middle East, Sen. Bouran highlighted that the Two-State Solution is the only viable way forward in order for Israel and Palestine to live side-by-side in peace and security, while stressing the threat posed by radicalization, terrorism and non-state actors that are filling the vacuum. Concluding her opening remarks, she urged PAM delegates to engage in a constructive dialogue in the collective pursuit of peace, given PAM’s unique role as a solid and respected forum for conflict resolution and peace building.
The session opened with the presentation of the report and draft resolution on “Geopolitical and Security Developments in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Regions” by Hon. Deborah Bergamini (Italy), PAM Rapporteur on Political Affairs and Security. Hon. Bergamini referred to the dramatic picture of the international landscape, undermined by both short and long-term challenges. Noting that PAM has welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza, Hon. Bergamini also pointed to positive developments in the Middle East, such as in Syria and Lebanon. On the other hand, she stressed continuing threats posed by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, instability in the Sahel, and Iran’s nuclear program.
During the parliamentary debate, PAM delegates constructively discussed matters ranging from the Cyprus question to the situation in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the need to uphold the ceasefire in Gaza and work towards the implementation of the Two-State Solution.
The second Report and draft Resolution on “The Evolving Threats Posed by Terrorist and Criminal Activities in the PAM Regions” was subsequently presented by Hon. Rita Superman (Cyprus), PAM Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism.
Hon. Superman started by noting the fruitful outcomes of the PAM Questionnaire on Counter-Terrorism legislations and practices, prepared in cooperation with the UN Security Council Executive Directorate on Counter-Terrorism (CTED). She summarized the terrorist and criminal trends in the PAM regions by referring to the intricate link between terrorism, armed conflict and transnational organized crime, also underlying the challenging and transformative potential of AI and Emerging Technologies.
In their interventions, PAM delegates underscored the need to continue combating, at the national and regional levels, all forms and manifestations of terrorism, while addressing the root causes leading to marginalization and radicalization, through social and economic policies and timely amendments to national counter-terrorism legislations.
Following substantive reflections and contributions from member parliaments, both resolutions were adopted by consensus.
The session further benefited from expert contributions on anti-money laundering and the fight against terrorist financing, with Mr. David Hotte, Team Leader of the EU Global Facility on AML/CFT, and Dr. Ian Tennant, Director of Multilateral Engagement at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GITOC), providing insights on their support to international engagements to counter terrorist and criminal financing, stressing that a comprehensive approach in this regard is key, including the civil society and the private sector. In this regard, specific reference was made to the High-level International Conference “The Palermo Convention: the future of the fight against transnational organized crime” , organized by PAM and the UN in Naples in 2022..
The discussions resumed with special interventions on fostering dialogue between the European Parliament and the members of PAM. Hon. Ruggero Razza (Italy), Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union, and Hon. Reinhold Lopatka (Austria), Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula. The two MEPs referred to a transition from the understanding of “wider Mediterranean” towards “global Mediterranean”, while shedding further light on the new Mediterranean portfolio in the EU Commission, both highlighting the importance of cooperation with PAM.
They also stressed the strategic significance of ensuring stability in the Maghreb and the Arab peninsula, as critical elements for the progress of the broader Euro-Mediterranean region. //