Malta is considering what role it can play in training Libyan coastguards, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela, announced. He said that, as the Maltese Prime Minister’s visit to Libya on Wednesday clearly shows, our neighbouring country’s return to stability and normality is very high on Malta’s agenda.  

Minister Abela was speaking at a courtesy visit with General Mikhail Kostarakos, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC), who is on an official visit to Malta following an invitation by Commander Jeffrey Curmi and who paid the Minister a courtesy call.

The EUMC provides the EU’s Political and Security Committee (PSC), which is responsible for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CSFP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the Union. It is composed of the Chiefs of Defence of the Member States, in Malta’s case AFM Commander Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi.

Minister Abela and General Kostarakos’s discussion touched upon, inter alia, the reawakening of the route taking migrants South of Crete towards the centre of the Mediterranean, as well as Malta’s preparations for the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first six months of 2017.

General Kostarakos commended Malta for its role in CSDP missions, pointing out that Malta’s contribution is proportionally much bigger to its size. Malta’s centralised, pragmatic and fast approach to operations is highly appreciated by other countries and serves as a model he noted, adding that it needs to be ensured that the necessary funds are available so that other EU countries can benefit from the Maltese military’s skills in the maritime sector.

General Kostarakos was flanked by his SA Lt. Col. Carlos Bernardo Anaya, and his ADC Major Anna Kaffetzaki. Minister Abela was accompanied by Mr Kevin Mahoney, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary; Mr Tony Vella-Gregory, Chief of Staff; Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi, AFM Commander; Major Joseph Pisani from the AFM’s International Affairs Branch;  Major James T. Grech, ADC to the Commander AFM; Joanne Mercieca, Director Defence Matters and Alessandro Mangion International Affairs Political Coordinator.