The first Foreign and European Affairs Committee meeting under this legislature was held on the 6th May 2013.  During this meeting, Dr George Vella in his capacity of Minister for Foreign Affairs informed the Committee that Malta, under his direction, intended to increase its participation in the European External Action Service (EEAS) given that there were many Maltese who were experienced in diplomatic and consular affairs.

The EEAS is the European Union’s diplomatic corps.  It was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon which entered into force on 1 December 2009.  The EEAS works in cooperation with the diplomatic services of the Member States.  It comprises officials from the relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union and of the European Commission as well as staff seconded from the national diplomatic services of the respective Member States.

However, based on what we have recently heard in and gathered from the media, I venture to say that it is evident that there is a lack of clarity in this new administration with regards to the concept and functions of the EEAS. 

I am saying this based on 2 observations.  Firstly, an article which featured in the The Times of the 11th June 2013 entitled “Changes at Malta's Embassies in the Offing” stated that Malta’s top diplomats are in for some turbulence in the coming weeks with many already told to pack their bags and return home while others were instructed to move sideways to different posts abroad.  The same article goes on to state that many current ambassadors, including career diplomats, have already been informally told that their postings are over, even if some of them have been in the post for less than a year.  Secondly, there is the reply given by Minister Vella himself in reply to the recent parliamentary question 1860 put forward by my colleague Carm Mifsud Bonnici.

Based on the above, a number of legitimate questions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensue.  Has the present Government given due thought to the role of an ambassador?  Has the present Government given due thought to the role of a diplomat?   Has the present Government mapped out a strategy that enhances the ability of its personnel to act more creatively and decisively in this increasingly challenging world?  I believe that this has not been done – because if it had, I am sure that we would have been told about it. 

If the present Government has taken the decision to shove career diplomats to the side, then I have to say that it is a totally absurd decision taking into consideration this day and age.  It is unacceptable and such a lack of strategy can have very serious implications – it could lead to the wrecking of the foreign service. 

If this is the case, then one legitimately questions the why.  Would these moves be part of some objective and bipartisan strategy?

Let’s hope that it is not the case of having another ‘audit’ - a generic term used frequently by this administration.   

I hope that ambassadorial posts will be taken up by people who can truly carry the career.  I hope that we will not hear of a new list of ambassadorial posts to the tune and in line with the current frenzy of appointing pay back Bill-Boarders and Igloo-Speakers.  

I hope that Minister Vella is not after inward looking traits.  If he is, his ‘new’ blood of ambassadors will definitely not enhance Malta’s role and capabilities in its endeavours to increase its participation in the EEAS.  And this without going into the merit of why career diplomats who irrespective of their experience, capabilities and effectiveness would have been shoved to the wayside and given meaningless jobs, if at all, at their workplace for at least the next five years. 

Let’s hope that Minister Vella is not reasoning that since this is happening in all Ministries so why not in that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? That would be a true shame!  

Marthese Portelli – Opposition Spokesperson for EU Affairs