Mediterranean Foundation of Strategic Studies

The Mediterranean Foundation of Strategic Studies (French: Fondation méditerranéenne d'études stratégiques, FMES) is an independent institute of research. This foundation is an association according to the French law on association, the so-called "loi 1901". It was created in 1989 in order to frame a context of security and stability around the Mediterranean area and to foster the development of the South-Mediterranean countries.

The FMES takes actively part in strategic thinking concerning relations, both between France and the European Union and between the Euro-Mediterranean area and the Arab-Muslim world. The foundation is involved in the development of a Euro-Mediterranean partnership in the political and security fields, through studies, consulting, and courses cycles to administrations, territorial collectivities, municipalities and companies. It fosters links between actors from civilian life, collectivities and military world so as to allow a better understanding of security matters in the economic environment of the regions.

The FMES was founded in Toulon (Var, France) in 1989 thanks to the growing awareness of its founding father, François Charollais, of the need to broadcast to public and private leaders working in the area better knowledge of strategic, political, economic and social issues in the Euro-Mediterranean world.

Quickly a couple of local and national actors were asked to be founding members of the FMES. Among them the Institut des hautes études de défense nationales (IHEDN), the Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and the Var department, but also the Secrétariat général de la Défense et de la Sécurité nationale and the CHEAr (Centre des hautes études de l'armement). The Ambassador of France Francis Gutmann agreed to hold the presidency. Networks with Algerians, Moroccans and Tunisians strategic studies institutes were rapidly created.

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