International Dimension of Critical Infrastructure Resilience: Challenges of the Mediterranean Security Environment

Abstract

The resilience of critical infrastructure (CI) has emerged as a defining challenge of the 21st century, accompanied by a growing recognition of its international and cross-border dimensions. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Mediterranean region, a region characterised by its strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, its climatic vulnerability, and its socio-political diversity. This article explores the international dimension of CI resilience with a particular focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by the Mediterranean basin. The Mediterranean faces a convergence of threats that test the robustness and adaptability of infrastructures upon which societies depend. Climate-related hazards such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and flooding increasingly disrupt energy, water, and transport systems. At the same time, cyber-physical threats associated with the digitalisation of energy grids, telecommunications networks, and maritime transport systems expose the region to sophisticated cyberattacks and cascading failures. These risks are further compounded by geopolitical instability, with conflicts, irregular migration flows, and the security of energy transit routes placing significant strain in national systems and cross-border cooperation. Drawing on European policy frameworks such as the CER Directive, the NIS2 Directive, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and the EU Strategy for Critical Infrastructure Resilience – as well as preparatory steps undertaken within the EU project ENDURANCE – this article argues that resilience in the Mediterranean requires both strategic integration and operational pragmatism. The analysis highlights the inadequacy of siloed, state-centric approaches and emphasises the need for cross-sectoral, cross-border, and community-level engagement. Case studies focusing on energy interconnectors, port infrastructures, and urban coastal resilience illustrate the interconnected vulnerabilities, as well as the opportunities for shared resilience building. The article concludes that enhancing CI resilience in the Mediterranean is not only a regional imperative but also a cornerstone of Europe's broader security and stability. It calls for harmonised strategies, stronger public-private partnerships, and innovative tools such as Digital Twins and regional stress-testing exercises, all embedded within a long-term vision of international cooperation.