11 February 2026, Rome, Italy – In the framework of the high-level roundtable, co-organized by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), its Centre for Global Studies (PAM-CGS), and the NATO Defense College Foundation (NDCF), entitled “Regions at the Centre – Cooperative Security: Cooperation versus Fragmentation”, discussions revolved around two panels: 1) “Rebuilding Geo-Political Space: Partnerships Beyond Fragmentation” and 2) “Cooperative Security in Practice: Preventing Escalation, Establishing Collective Framework”.
The first panel focused on the challenges posed by competing alignments, selective partnerships, and declining trust in multilateral frameworks in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions. The session was moderated by Mr. Claudio Antonelli, Deputy Editor of Il Sole 24 Ore Mediterraneo.
Panelists stressed that security, stability, and peace are essential preconditions for cooperation and development, and emphasized the need for realistic and comprehensive political approaches. They highlighted, referring to the ongoing Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the interdependence between credible deterrence and strong democratic institutions, underlining the centrality of the rule of law, integrity, and effective security-sector assistance and reform.
They also focused on the region’s exposure to external shocks, terrorism and transnational criminal networks, including arms, drug, and human trafficking, calling for coordinated international responses that address root causes. Particular attention was given to hybrid and cognitive threats, requiring integrated political, economic, civilian, and military responses.
In this context, the role of parliamentary diplomacy, especially the leadership of PAM, was underscored as a critical asset, since parliamentary channels often remain open even when formal diplomatic relations are strained or suspended. Since its inception in 2006, PAM has demonstrated its capacity to foster mutual understanding, reduce tensions, and support cooperative security frameworks across its regions, and beyond.
The second panel was moderated by Ms. Gaia Pellegrini-Bettoli, independent journalist and author.
Panelists underscored the importance of political will in fostering security cooperation and peace-building narratives, while reiterating the essential role of regional organizations, such as PAM, in bringing the two shores of the Mediterranean closer, especially in times of crisis.
Discussion also highlighted the current state of fragmentation and instability and security in the PAM regions and neighboring areas, particularly in terms of climate catastrophes, migration crises and human trafficking, breaches of maritime trade routes, the proliferation of state violence, hybrid threats, and the low cost of conflict labor.
In his closing remarks Hon. Centemero (Italy), President of PAM, stressed the need of reinforcing the resilience of multilateralism and democratic institutions.
He emphasised that the international community shall translate valuable insights into concrete actions, reaffirming the central role of regional platforms, in serving as privileged platforms for cooperation and trust.
In line with its mandate, PAM will continue to pursue concrete initiatives aimed at reinforcing democratic governance, supporting multilateral solutions to shared challenges, and ensuring that parliamentary action contributes effectively to peace, security, and sustainable development across Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions, and its partners. //