The government is planning to open an embassy in New Delhi, India by the end of this year, in an effort to improve diplomatic relations with large emerging markets, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said yesterday.
Announcing Malta’s strategic objectives in the area of foreign policy, Dr Frendo said that discussions were well under way and the embassy could be open in the second half of this year.
Dr Frendo pointed out that the authorities were doing their utmost to facilitate business travel from India by simplifying the visa system, as they had done with regard to Tunisia and Libya.
He said that India had huge potential and it presented Malta with a number of opportunities.
“I spoke to the Indian Commerce Minister during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and he said that he was impressed with our industrial sector,” said Dr Frendo.
Taking more questions from The Malta Independent, Dr Frendo said he had been informed that there was Indian interest in investing in the pharmaceuticals industry.
“We must be clear, there has been nothing concrete yet, but the opportunity is there to be grasped,” he said.
Dr Frendo said that Malta, like India, had very good standards of English.
“Therefore, we can become India’s gateway to the EU,” he said.
With regard to the process of burden sharing of irregular immigration, he said the first steps had been taken but there was still a lot that could be done.
“The US, Holland and Germany have taken some immigrants, but there is more to be done. The emergency fund is awaiting approval and the European Commission has requested that EU member states indicate how they can cooperate on the issue,” said Dr Frendo.
Progress had also been made on the issue of repatriation of Egyptian and Moroccan nationals.
Explaining the basis of the document, Dr Frendo said that Malta’s perspective in foreign policy stems from our own realities. “We are a country which wholly forms part of Europe and wholly forms part of the Mediterranean. We are an island state,” he said.
Dr Frendo continued: “Our foreign policy must reflect our realities and our Maltese and European values. These values fashion our positions in the world today: solidarity; respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights; a humanitarian approach; a propensity to giving.”
He said the context had changed since Malta joined the EU. “Membership provides us with new challenges which require new approaches. Membership of the European Union places us firmly within the historical process of the construction of a post-Cold War united Europe and frees the mind from the constraints of a small territory,’ said Dr Frendo.
“This new document must be dynamic and is meant to serve as a guiding framework for our political action in international affairs which must be open to review, updating and revision in the light of changing circumstances,” he said.
Strategic objectives of Malta’s foreign policy:
Harness Malta’s geopolitical relevance to maximise political and economic benefits.
Geographic location, history, culture and economic relations are principal elements which have determined Malta’s geopolitical relevance as a European and Mediterranean island state over the ages. Malta’s membership of the European Union has strengthened its geopolitical relevance providing it with the opportunity to exploit this newly found strength to maximise political and economic benefits.
In harnessing Malta’s geo-political relevance to maximise economic benefits, Malta’s foreign policy seeks to position Malta as the dual gateway for business in Africa and the Middle East, and in the single European market. This strategy is directed both to countries in Malta’s vicinity, as well as towards those more distant countries that are increasingly active in the markets of the European Union.
Make a success of European Union membership and contribute towards the construction of a European Union which gives added value to its member states and its citizens
Malta will continue to pursue active and effective participation in the European Union’s decision-making processes raising its profile, relevance and credibility.
Malta will proactively participate in European Union decisions, policy and law-making. Malta will continue to ensure that important matters of national interest are raised high on the European Union Agenda, while continuing to be a team-player in the day-to-day construction of a strong European Union, built on a culture of consensus and compromise.
Strengthen Malta’s bilateral relations, in particular relations with its immediate neighbours
Bilateral relations remain essential to Malta’s foreign policy. Bilateral diplomacy remains the most vital tool for states to communicate with one another. In its bilateral relations, Malta will continue to take into account and, where appropriate or required, follow European Union positions on international issues.
Maintain a special focus on furthering dialogue, peace, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean and the Middle East
Malta will continue to play a proactive role in the promotion of peace and stability in the Mediterranean with the aim of continuing to improve the region’s prospects for peace and prosperity and the modular ongoing creation of a Euro-Mediterranean area of free trade, investment and stability based on respect for democratic values and the rule of law.
In particular, Malta will continue to promote the Western Mediterranean Dialogue (“Five plus Five”), the Mediterranean Forum, the Euro-Mediterranean Barcelona Partnership, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.
Promote Malta’s relationship with existing and emerging major economies
Malta will seek to strengthen and promote relations with existing and emerging major economies, with the aim of increasing the presence of Malta’s goods and services in these markets and attracting inward investment to Malta.
Efforts will focus on consolidating Malta’s economic and political relationships with existing economies such as the United States and other European Union member states, but also targeting new and emerging economies such India, China, Brazil and South Africa.
Seek maximisation of multisectoral benefits from Malta’s international network of embassies and consulates
The ministry, in coordination with its international network of embassies and consulates, will continue to contribute to the wider effort to bring overseas investment into Malta, increase the export of Maltese goods and services, promote tourism, financial and maritime services, and commerce in general, coordinating closely with the relevant government agencies to ensure a common focus on the immediate and long-term goals of Malta’s economic development in view of developing trends and business opportunities.
Address holistically the international aspects of illegal immigration
Illegal immigration constitutes a serious concern for Malta which, at 1,200 persons per square kilometre, represents one of the highest population densities in the world.
Malta will continue to raise international awareness in the European Union and its member states and in the international community as a whole, on illegal immigration and human trafficking and smuggling. It shall continue to call for effective action to combat illegal immigration in a holistic and thorough manner.
Malta will continue to work towards resettlement of refugees and persons with valid humanitarian status and the repatriation and reintegration of illegal immigrants. Malta will also continue to support development action in the countries of origin, and increased development assistance for those countries that honour their international obligations to accept back illegal immigrants.
Actively contribute to further development and good governance within the Commonwealth
Malta will carry out an increasingly active role in the Commonwealth with the aim of furthering development and good governance and enhancing the Commonwealth’s capacity to implement programmes and policies. Malta will continue to promote respect for the Harare Principles and respect for democratic legitimacy and the rule of law.
The ministry will continue to promote Malta as a location for international dialogue and scholarship by continuing and strengthening its support for international organisations hosted in Malta with a view of attracting other international organisations and secretariats to be set up in Malta.
Work with the international community to defeat terrorism and extremism
Malta will continue to work in close cooperation with the international community in the global effort to prevent and counter terrorist activity. Malta is committed to resist and eliminate this outrageous and horrific attack on the everyday order and serenity of life in any society and the right of ordinary citizens to a secure and peaceful life. Malta also condemns all terrorist acts. Malta supports steps to further intensify and expand those concrete actions which respond to the immediate concerns of citizens. The international community’s action against terrorism must be firm and decisive at all times.
Promote democratisation and further respect for the rule of law and human rights
Malta will continue to support international action seeking to peacefully promote democratic legitimacy of leaders, respect for the rule of law, good governance and the respect of human rights. The creation of a worldwide culture of free and fair elections allowing people to express their will and elect their leader/s is a corollary of the fundamental freedoms of the individual and of the nation.
Promote respect of the international rule of law and the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflict
The international rule of law offers the best guarantee of peace and stability in relations between and within states. Malta will continue to promote respect of the international rule of law, rather than the use of military force and action in the resolution of international conflicts and disputes world wide.