Franco Frattini is justice and chamber president of the Italian Supreme Administrative Court. He was the Former Foreign Minister in the Italian Cabinet (2002 to 2004 and 2008 to 2011) and Vice President and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security in the first Barroso Commission (2004-2008). He is also a candidate for the post of NATO’s secretary general, currently hold by Anders Fogh Rasmussen. We took the opportunity to interview him during his brief visit to the Elcano Royal Institute on 2 December 2013.
Mr. Frattini stresses the relevance of the Mediterranean in today’s global Security policies. Arguing that the “centrality of the Mediterranean in the wars of today is absolutely evident”. Therefore, he calls for a coordinated response between the EU and the NATO to the threats that emerge in this area, such as the proliferation of terrorist cells, energy security or even cyber security.
“The European Union and the NATO should be providers of security, not consumers of security”
His approach on Mediterranean Security is based on an EU-led promotion of stability, security and cooperation with its Southern partners. Frattini claims that “European members should be in charge of the Mediterranean” and believes that they should rely too on the U.S and Turkey as key partners in this task.
