A report on the security threats in the Western Mediterranean region drawn up by a retired French admiral has highlighted terrorism, organised crime, illegal immigration and the environment as main concerns.

Defence ministers and army chiefs from the northern and southern shores of the Western Mediterranean yesterday discussed the Averroes Report behind closed doors during a seminar that brought to an end Malta’s presidency of the five plus five grouping.

The organisation brings to-gether 10 Mediterranean states in a bid to cooperate on defence and security issues.

The report was compiled by retired Rear Admiral Jean Dufourcq for the Euro-Maghreb Centre for Research and Strategic Studies for the Western Mediterranean. He is also a director of studies at the Strategic Research Institute of France’s military academy.

In their final declaration, the member states lauded the “successful achievements” of what they described as an “experimental study” on perceptions on defence and security issues in the region and reaffirmed their commitment to the first official study on such matters.

According to diplomatic sources, the report, which was only available in French, was not endorsed by the member states before the debate.

This was the first time that member countries held a discussion on security issues based on a report.

Closing the seminar, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said there were differences in the perceived threats as seen by countries on the northern shores and those on the southern shores. He gave no other details.

However, at the start of the seminar, the diplomats and army chiefs got some free advice from Dr Gonzi on the importance of keeping “a friendly media” on their side.

Soon after delivering the welcome address, Dr Gonzi politely asked journalists to leave the room so the discussion could continue behind closed doors. He then turned to his guests sitting in round table format and with a smile underscored the importance of being polite with media representatives.

“It is important to keep a friendly media on our side, something which is becoming very difficult as time goes by,” he said, in what was an obvious jibe at the embarrassing leaks of confidential US diplomatic cables by whistleblower site Wikileaks.

In their final declaration, the countries expressed support for the process related to the training centre for mine clearing war remnants.

Malta’s 18-month stint at the helm of the five plus five was the longest for any country and at the end of yesterday’s meeting it handed over the presidency to Mauritania. The meeting brought together defence ministers of Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com