We must also be capable, however, of setting out priorities as regards the regions of the world or countries with particular stra
tegic impact on the actions that we support, for various reasons: firstly, because the count
ry concerned is our immediate neighbour and therefore our most immediate security is at stake; secondly, because these are situations
that can have a positive snowball effect at local level, in terms of establishing democracy and stability; thirdly, because in those areas of
...[+++] the world with particularly knotty problems we can find the weak spot that can be unravelled into democratic transformation; fourthly, because there are special historical links and cultural ties that bring us together; and fifthly, because our help can make all the difference in the short term and can have an instantly positive impact.