The Government of Malta has welcomed the ceasefire that was agreed between Israel and Hamas following weeks of violence in Gaza. In a statement, the government aid that it urges both parties to work on the agreement reached in Cairo to ensure a durable and sustainable return to peace.

Peaking on the latest development, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr George W. Vella commended Egyptian authorities for their perseverance in securing the open-ended ceasefire following various botched attempts.

In the weeks ahead, Minister Vella, added that it will be very important to facilitate the return to normal livelihood of those thousands of Palestinians whose lives were so dramatically disrupted during the conflict.

Minister Vella reiterated that a durable ceasefire can only be effective against a backdrop of resumed peace negotiations based on an agreement on the borders of two states on 1967 borders, security arrangements that respect Palestinian sovereignty, a just resolution to the refugee question and the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states.

Minister Vella will be discussing the situation in Gaza with other Foreign Ministers from the European Union during an Informal Ministerial Meeting in Milan being held between 29 and 30 August.