Malta has “certain reservations” against a general European Union bid to see Hezbollah blacklisted as a terrorist organisation, according to Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella. Unanimity is required in order for the proposed blacklisting to be carried.
The EU is currently split over whether Hezbollah, a Lebanese political group with an active military wing, should be declared a terrorist organisation. Lebanon has asked the EU not to add Hezbollah to its blacklist, claiming that it is an essential part of Lebanese society. And Malta appears to be firmly in the Lebanese camp on the issue, going against the EU’s general push to blacklist the organisation.
“With regard to the listing of members of Hezbollah, or of the whole military wing, as a terrorist organisation, Malta has certain reservations,” Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella told The Malta Independent on Sunday.
“Certain issues, especially the feasibility of this measure and modalities of its implementation, have not been adequately addressed. Malta is also concerned that the listing would have implications for the political stability of Lebanon, and by extension contribute further to the destabilisation of what is already a region where massacres and senseless killings are, unfortunately, daily occurrences,” Dr Vella warned. “Malta’s position is ultimately motivated by its commitment to ensure the stability of the region as well as security in Europe.”
The minister also made clear that “Malta condemns – without any reservations or exceptions – all acts of terrorism.”
An EU meeting of foreign ministers will be held tomorrow and it would appear that there is some way to go before Malta’s resistance to the blacklisting of Hezbollah is changed.
Malta is not alone in its resistance, as Austria, the Czech Republic and Ireland have all voiced their reservations previously.
The possibility of blacklisting Hezbollah, a move being pushed through by Britain, France and the Netherlands, highlights a steady change of heart within the EU, which has long held back against US pressure over fears such a move would destabilise Lebanon and its neighbours.
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, plays a pivotal role in Lebanese politics, dominating the government since 2011, and diplomatic efforts by Lebanon could affect the decisions of some member states.
Even if the EU blacklists the military wing, the bloc wants to maintain contact with Lebanese political parties. Assurances of political outreach are essential to any terror blacklisting and have been instrumental in tipping the balance.
The ministers will consider the listing based only on evidence that Hezbollah was involved in an attack on the Black Sea resort of Burgas in Bulgaria last year, which killed five Israeli tourists and one Bulgarian. Hezbollah denies responsibility.
The discussion is also fuelled by a Cypriot criminal court decision in March that found a Hezbollah member guilty of helping to plan attacks on Israelis on the Mediterranean island.
Implementation of the listing would be complicated because diplomats would have to unravel the links between the different wings within Hezbollah’s organisational network and see who could be targeted with visa bans or asset freezes.