Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George W. Vella yesterday had a meeting with Mr Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development to discuss ongoing UN negotiations on the establishment of a Post 2015 framework of Sustainable Development Goals.

Referring to the recent Commission Communication A Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development after 2015, Dr Vella reiterated Malta’s commitment and support to the EU's development policy, highlighting in particular the ambitious focus on poverty eradication and sustainable development. The link between development policy and migration was also amongst the topics raised at the meeting.

Minister Vella emphasized the need for the EU's development initiatives to allow the contribution of non-governmental development organisations and national platforms from all member states, irrespective of their size. In this manner, the EU's development efforts could enjoy the widest possible support across the Union.

Minister Vella also stressed the importance that the financing of sustainable development should itself be sustainable and realistic. 

In the evening, Minister Vella participated in an informal Development Ministers’ meeting hosted by Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.

Early next week, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George W. Vella is scheduled to meet Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Brussels for bilateral discussions.