Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella today addressed his European Union counterparts for the first time since Malta assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
“During a discussion concerning possible issues that will make it to the Council’s agenda in the coming months, High Representative Federica Mogherini and several other ministers conveyed their support to the Maltese Presidency. Libya was identified as one of the priorities that ministers will be taking up on the agenda in the coming months. The Eastern Partnership, the Western Balkans and relations with important regional actors such as Egypt and Turkey were also underlined,” the ministry said.
“Dr Vella expressed satisfaction at the issues identified by the High Representative, and added that the Mediterranean region warrants additional focus, given the several overlapping crises there. With regards to Libya specifically, Minister Vella called for discussions that are not restricted to the issue of migration, but that also delve into the political and humanitarian realities. Minister Vella also identified Africa as a continent that calls for increased attention, due to existing threats and opportunities for deepened engagement.
The ministers also discussed developments related to Syria, particularly in relation to the ceasefire presently in place, and a meeting scheduled to take place in Astana on 23 January. The Geneva framework, Minister Vella pointed out, should remain at the heart of any progress and the UN should remain the moderator of any dialogue.
Only hours following his address at the Paris International Conference on the Middle East Peace Process, Minister Vella thanked the Government of France for taking the initiative to bring the prospects of a Two State Solution back to the international agenda. He stressed that a one state solution is not an option, and that the ultimate goal remains that of a return to negotiations by the Israeli and Palestinian sides. The policy to be adopted by the incoming US administration will need to be kept firmly in sight in the coming weeks. Minister Vella called on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that could, at this critical juncture, further erode the prospects of a durable solution to this longstanding crisis.”