On 24 June, a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council took place in Luxembourg.  The meeting addressed pressing aspects of the European Union’s engagement on a regional and global level, particularly the situation in the Southern Neighbourhood and the Middle East Peace Process.

The Council meeting discussed the latest developments in the Middle East Peace Process. Malta, together with other Member States, expressed its support for diplomatic efforts currently underway by the United States to breathe new life into the peace process and bring both parties to the negotiating table. Malta re-iterated that a two-state-solution is the only means of achieving lasting peace in the region, and that both parties should commit themselves to such a goal through tangible action. Finally, Malta also stressed the importance that the EU continues to express its agreed positions on the peace process.

During discussions on the Southern Neighbourhood, Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, debriefed Member States on her recent trip to the Middle East and to Southern Neigbourhood countries. The Council discussed how the EU can best use its resources to respond to the socio-political shifts brought about in recent years by the so-called ‘Arab Spring’.

During the debate, Malta stressed that the EU must continue, and where necessary, step-up, its engagement, including through proper funding for democratisation initiatives. Ambassador Bonnici noted that the positive democratic shifts in the region over the past years have been impressive, but underlined the fact that considerable challenges remain in the political, economic and social spheres; challenges that threaten to undermine the achievements attained. She noted that one cannot expect the process of significant socio-political reforms to happen overnight, and stated that the EU needs to give the region clear signs that it is committed to giving all the long-term assistance necessary to this process.  In this regard, Malta, together with a number of Member States continued to insist to maintain the current level of funding based on the two-thirds (for the Southern Neighbourhood) and one third (for the East) split of the Neighbourhood budget.

Turning to Syria, the Council discussed options for a political solution to the horrific violence that continues in the country and which has led to over 90,000 deaths since the conflict began. Malta emphasised the need for all parties to allow safe and unrestricted humanitarian access for aid organisations assisting those in need in Syria. Ambassador Bonnici also highlighted that the need for a political solution to the conflict is paramount, stating that Malta fully supports the G8’s call for the international community to work towards a peaceful resolution to the crisis, including through the convening of a proposed conference as soon as possible.

The meeting also addressed developments in Afghanistan as well as the Eastern Partnership. On the EU’s Eastern Partnership, the Council took stock of developments in partner countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) in preparation for the Eastern Partnership ministerial meeting which will take place in Brussels in July and which will be followed up later on the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November this year. Malta noted that while geography necessarily gives a Mediterranean focus to its Foreign Policy, Malta supports the objectives of the Eastern Partnership and especially its focus on civil society and people-to-people contacts, as well as its importance in encouraging reforms in the partner countries.

The Malta delegation was led by Malta’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Marlene Bonnici, due to the fact that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, George Vella, was accompanying the Prime Minister on his visit to the Holy See.