The situation in the Middle East, Malta becoming a potential market to teach English to Gulf nationals, and opportunities for investment were among the topics discussed during a recent visit to the Gulf area by a delegation from the Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs.

During its visit to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, the committee had meetings with parliamentary members and high-ranking officials from each country.

Committee chairman Jason Azzopardi said the committee met several organisations and discussed how relations between the individual countries could improve.

“We discussed how dialogue between the two cultures could be improved – on a religious, political and parliamentary level,” said Dr Azzopardi.

He pointed out that they all expressed their appreciation of Malta’s stand that there should be a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

Dr Azzopardi said there was appreciation also for Malta’s action in acting as a go-between between the Arab League and the EU.

Representatives from the three countries also expressed their serious concern and pessimism over developments in Iran’s nuclear programme and added that they made it clear the EU should take a more proactive approach.

“Contrary to popular belief, Saudi Arabia is not only about oil – it is starting to diversify its resources,” said Dr Azzopardi.

He said Saudi Arabia was planning to build five economic cities bigger than Switzerland within the next 10 years.

“This opens up a whole range of new opportunities for us and we will work towards improving relations between the Chamber of Commerce and Saudi Arabia,” added Dr Azzopardi.

Members of the Saudi delegation also expressed their interest in opening a branch of the University of Malta in their country and requested Malta’s help following the high standards of higher education, he said.

All five MPs spoke about the interest generated during the visit for Malta as a possible destination for Middle East students to learn English.

“I have formally informed the Education Ministry of their interest and will follow it up,” said Dr Azzopardi.

He also said that the delegation from the UAE was informed about Malta’s progress in the medical field.

“It was asked whether UAE doctors could come and specialise in Mater Dei Hospital and the local health authorities have already been contacted,” said Dr Azzopardi.

The committee will request meetings with all constituted bodies to explain in detail the opportunities they can take advantage of, he added.

Labour MP Leo Brincat said Malta should develop strategic partnerships with these countries.

“We do not only need an economic relationship with these countries, I believe that we should also set up political bilateral agreements,” said Mr Brincat.

He referred to talks held with the UAE Transport Ministry about the possibility of using Maltese dockyard workers or using local facilities for yachts and building of rigs.

“While all three countries showed concern over Iran’s nuclear programme, they all agreed that there should not be a military solution,” said Mr Brincat.

However, he said, the key to everything was a solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

They all pointed out that there should not be any double standards and that all the Middle East should be free from nuclear weapons, said Mr Brincat.

Nationalist MP Mario de Marco said the committee spoke with one voice during the visit.

“We discussed the political and economic benefits that these meetings held for Malta,” said Dr de Marco. “We also tried to explain the political situation in the Mediterranean – especially in Malta.”

There is great potential for Maltese who want to invest in the Middle East, said Dr de Marco.

“We also discussed in great detail the double taxation agreement which should be concluded by the end of this year,” he added. “There are many Maltese who are interested in investing in Saudi Arabia and it is important that they are not taxed in both countries.”

Labour MP Jose Herrera said the discussions focused on common areas of investment.

“One of these is the financial sector. The UAE is looking for a market to invest its money and we tried to promote Malta as a potential financial market,” said Dr Herrera.

Since the UAE was in a process of change, it opened up a whole new market for Maltese construction developers who were interested in investing abroad, he said.

Labour MP Evarist Bartolo pointed out that the three countries offered a very rich market but speed was essential as there was fierce competition for the resources.

“The majority of the delegations visiting the UAE are from the EU – now we have to make an effort to take advantage of this visit and to overcome any possible prejudice against people from these countries,” said Mr Bartolo.