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INSTITUTESPromoting dialogue between cultures & civilizationsThe first panel in the roundtable. From left to right: Vasilis Papaioannou, Ambassador a.h., Sotiris Roussos, Associate Professor, University of Peloponnese, Ambassador Sotirios Varouxakis, Director of the Institute and Efthimios Efthimiadis, AmbassadorTHE DIRECTORThe Director of the Institute is Ambassador Sotirios Varouxakis, who is assisted by an Advisory Council, composed of experts from academic elds of study, foreign relations and mass media.ADVISORY COUNCILIoannis Mazis, Professor of the University of Athens, Director of Studies Vassilis Papaioannou, Ambassador a.h., Athens Katerina Varvitsioti, Professor emeritus, Panteion University, Athens Marianna Papadopoulou, Expert-Minister Plenipontentiary, MFA, AthensPetros Troupiotis, Journalist, AthensDr Kyriakos Nikolaou- Patragas, Chargéde cours, Universityof Athens, AthensThe Institute for the Mediterranean is created in the framework of the EPLO and the rst meeting of its Advisory Council took place onJune 24, 2015. The decision of the EPLO to create the Institute for the Mediterranean was very timely. It was important to create also in Athens, as in other Mediterranean countries of the EU, where already exist Institutes dealing with issues concerning the Mediterranean, an Institution that will focus on issues and events of this region, in the neighborhood of Greece, especially during this period of dif cult political transition in many Mediterranean countries and important challenges of strategic importance for both shores in the Mediterranean.The objectives of the Institute are: to contribute to the respect of the principles of Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation aiming at establishing conditions of peace, stability, security and shared prosperity for all the peoples in the Mediterranean, the better understanding and comprehension of the peoples in the area,  to encourage and foster debate and actions on relevant issues and efforts aiming at establishing state of law and good governance, as well as to contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes, to promote dialogue between cultures and civilizations and to contribute to creating conditions for the respect of cultural heritage in the world.The activities of the Institute intend to cover the political, economic, social, cultural and educational elds. The Institute operates as an institution of the EPLO, specialized in Mediterranean relations, and has a threefold nature: a Think Tank, for exchange of views and debate on important issues,  an education institution at the level of post-graduate studies on the basis of multidisciplinary approach, which is able to deliver study titles, and a research center, a workshop and center for programs, projects and actions on relevant issues, in connection with the events and developments in the region, with the task to publish works on relevant topics.In the framework of the objectives of the EPLO, the activities of the Institute include: establishing of the appropriate structures for teaching and research; offering the necessary know-how on Mediterranean matters to authorities, institutions and individuals; encouraging a permanent dialogue on relevant issues via discussions, meetings, seminars, publications etc; establish contacts with relevant institutions in Greece and abroad; encouraging efforts for students exchanging programs.98 ACTIVITY REPORT 2016