Madrid summit: NATO to monitor migration as risk of instability to alliance members
June 30, 2022, 12:27 pm

Madrid summit: NATO to monitor migration as risk of instability to alliance members

Belarus-Poland border-Illegal immigration/Facebook page

Irregular mass migration is among the "hybrid threats" that rivals can use to undermine the stability of NATO countries, the alliance recognised in its new strategic concept agreed on Wednesday (June 29) in Madrid.

The inclusion of such threats was an explicit request from countries on NATO's outer rims, including the summit's host Spain, whose neighbours have been accused of using migration as a weapon of political pressure, the Alaraby English reported, citing Reuters.

It said that Poland's border crisis with Belarus last year was another example.

The strategic concept twice mentions migration as an element to monitor in the next decade, and points to the southern flank as a new source of risk to stability.

The document said: "Conflict, fragility and instability in Africa and the Middle East directly affect our security and the security of our partners.”

German soldiers stand guard at German NATO base Camp Marmal in Afghanistan. (File photo: AP)

The allies agreed that areas to the south of NATO, particularly the Middle East, North Africa and Sahel regions, faced interconnected security, demographic, economic and political challenges spurred on by external powers.

Polish NGO rescues two Syrian migrants across the Belarusian border

"This situation provides fertile ground for the proliferation of non-state armed groups, including terrorist organisations. It also enables destabilising and coercive interference by strategic competitors."

At least 23 migrants died and many more were injured in the attempted mass crossing on Friday into the Spanish enclave of Melilla that borders Morocco.

The tragedy gave rise to debate on whether Article 5 of the NATO treaty applies to the defence of Melilla and the other Spanish enclave of Ceuta as they are located outside the boundaries that NATO considers its territory.

Poland plans to build wall on its border with Belarus to block migrants

The wording of the new strategic concept removes any doubt, according to a senior Spanish government source, by explicitly including Spain's southern enclaves.

The text said: "No one should doubt our strength and resolve to defend every inch of allied territory, preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all allies and prevail against any aggressor."

Source: alaraby

UN chief appoints Najat Rochdi as deputy special envoy for Syria First grain ship since offensive leaves Russia-occupied Ukraine port

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”