This trend is especially obvious in the mutual cooperation between the EU and its North African neighbors. Brussels is increasingly concerned about the large number of foreign fighters from North African countries who fought in the jihadist ranks in different conflicts across the Middle East. Europeans have a strong interest in understanding the security landscape and threats that emanate from North Africa as well as in cooperating with North African countries to address these. Importantly, from the European perspective, establishing relations and cooperation with functioning North African states is key. ‘The Southern Front Line: EU Counter-Terrorism Cooperation with Tunisia and Morocco’ – Policy Brief by Fatim-Zohra El Malki and Anthony Dworkin – European Council on Foreign Relations / ECFR.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 23, 2018 16:18 UTC