MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR PEACE
LAMBERTO DINI
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic

Minister Dini guided the Italian action aimed at preparing and holding the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial meeting on 3rd and 4^th June 1998 in Palermo, which restored confidence in the principles and intervention programme set forth in the Barcelona Declaration of 28th November 1995. While reaffirming the absolute priority of Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for the regional promotion of an area of peace and shared prosperity, the message coming from Palermo showed, as guideline, the supportive commitment to contrast and remove the causes of instability of political, economic, social and cultural nature. Minister Dini, by asserting the concept of global stability, contributed to the acceptation of this guideline in an action able to accelerate the efforts for a rapid conclusion of a Euro-Mediterranean Charter for peace and stability. Strictly in accordance with this objective, he supported, as a protagonist, the re-launching of dialogue with Libya also in view of favouring the conditions for revoking the sanctions adopted by the Security Council against this Country. It is important for the dialogue to be carried on patiently by all Parties and deepened with the highest mutual comprehension, wishing to fully involve Libya in the efforts to strengthen peace and stability in the region. In the same spirit as in Palermo and in support of the search for a general pacification of the Mediterranean, the visit made in July 1998 to Algiers gave an important contribution, by testifying the existence of a dialogue for a closer cooperation with a Country so hardly affected by a tragic terrorist violence.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples 5 January 1999

MEDITERRANEAN AWARD FOR CULTURE
H.M. HUSSEIN BIN TALAL
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of JORDAN

During 46 years of Reign, His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal worked relentlessly for a long-lasting peace and for the development of mutual comprehension and respect between the people of Jordan and the rest of the Middle East. In addition, he worked to attain a level of cultural tolerance and comprehension, free artistic expression and exchange between different cultures and religions, supporting national and international prestigious artists and intellectuals to practise their culture and creativity without restraint. Through local and International cultural festivals, exhibitions, meetings, scholarships and training programmes, the Government and private organizations have always been encouraged to support the free expression of traditional and contemporary culture, art and literature in all their forms, as well as establishing and maintaining relations between local communities and famous national and international artists for a free exchange of ideas and cultural expressions that can one day be the foundations for a world of peace and cooperation for future generations. His Majesty King Hussein is the author of a ‘culture of peace’ in the Arab World: for these reasons the Fondazione Mediterraneo, with the Accademia del Mediterraneo, has granted to H.M. King Hussein bin Talal the Mediterranean Award for Culture 1999.

Awarding Ceremony
Naples, 5 January 1999

INTERNATIONAL AWARD LABORATORIO MEDITERRANEO
UN ACCENTO PERFETTO
Best short‑film by Italian director Nicola Sornaga

 Extremely high and interesting short‑film which, through its manipulations, its blending of arts and genres, tries to express what cannot be expressed. This work draws an unknown reality and wises up to original rips of the present world. For this reason the Fondazione Mediterraneo attributed to Nicola Sornaga the Mediterranean International Award Laboratorio Mediterraneo 1999.

Awarding Ceremony
Trieste, 24 January 1999