We are faced with security challenges, he said of the recent uprisings called Arab Spring, adding that marginal groups that could profit from the changes in the southern Mediterranean must not be underestimated.

Terror groups could use the complex situation, such as the one in Yemen, and Croatia too could be in danger because of its long sea border, Bozinovic said, adding that Europe could help in the democratic transformation of North Africa, but with understanding of the region's culture and politics.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou said it was imperative to help the population in North Africa so that democratisation was not a cause of instability.

He said one should not allow extremists to use the process of democratisation, and that it would be disastrous if the people there started thinking that it was better before.

The European Union has to help the nations in North Africa create a political and economic infrastructure, for which investments are important, said Kyprianou.

Financial aid is good but does not create an economy. Investments do that, he said, adding that the economic strengthening of the region was imperative to avoid the risk of radical Islamism spilling over, the straining of relations towards Israel, the strengthening of terrorism, and an increase in the number of immigrants, which he said could destabilise the EU's southern countries.

The straining of relations towards Israel would have a negative impact on the Middle East peace process, and a wave of immigrants could destabilise the southern EU countries, which are already overburdened with them, economically vulnerable and hard-hit by the economic crisis.

Stefanie Babst, NATO's Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, said the Arab Spring had been unexpected but that it should be applauded, as it brought new impetus for change in North Africa.