North Africa and the Mediterranean are increasingly emerging as critical strategic corridors linking Europe, Africa, and the wider Atlantic system. From migration governance and energy connectivity to maritime security and economic integration, the region now sits at the center of European foreign policy and transatlantic cooperation. At the same time, persistent instability across parts of the Sahel continues to shape security, development, and diplomatic priorities across the broader Mediterranean basin. As a member of the European Union and NATO with longstanding diplomatic and economic ties across North Africa and Africa more broadly, Portugal brings a distinctive perspective to shifting regional dynamics. The discussion will explore Europe’s evolving engagement with North Africa and the Sahel, Mediterranean security dynamics, and Portugal’s role within broader EU–Africa partnerships shaping stability, connectivity, and development across the region.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 18, 2026 18:41 UTC