Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela stated that both as the current Presidency of the Council of the European Union and as an EU member state, Malta will go on supporting the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in her endeavours to keep European citizens safe, bolster internal security, and build a stronger Europe at the global level. 

Minister Abela was addressing a European Defence Roundtable organised jointly by the Munich Security Conference and the Women Political Leaders Global Forum at Verdala Palace, under the patronage of the President of Malta. The meeting provided an opportunity to a select group of women decison-makers to exchange views and proposals on current defence and security issues in an informal setting on the eve of the Informal Council Meeting of the EU Ministers of Defence, which will be held in Valletta on the 26th and the 27th of April.

Minister Abela framed his comments in the context of the 60th anniversary of the EU’s founding documents, namely the Rome Treaties, which was commemorated in the Italian capital by the EU’s heads of state and government exactly one month ago. He pointed out the EU leaders’ commitment to make the Union safer and more secure. The leaders also promised to continue building a stronger Europe on the global scene: a Union further developing existing partnerships, building new ones, and promoting stability and prosperity in its immediate neighbourhood to the east and south, but also in the Middle East and globally.

“The sense of insecurity that, until sixty years ago, was instilled in Europeans by the fear of wars between European states, is nowadays once again topping our citizens’ list of concerns, this time round as a result of serious threats such as terrorism, both external and homegrown,” said Minister Abela. “Our citizens expect us, policy-makers and decision-makers on local, regional, national, and European levels, to address their fears and concerns in this respect. They demand of us to make their Europe a safer place by, amongst other things, fighting radicalisation and protecting our external borders.” He added that European citizens expect the EU to do more to counter instability in its neighbourhood, while working towards a more streamlined European defence market and better European defence capabilities.

The Minister remarked that the EU has a track record of peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement on a global level, and that it is committed to continue putting its so-called soft power to good use. This has its basis in the Treaties under the Common Security and Defence Policy provisions. The CSDP provisions enable the Union to take a leading role in peace-keeping operations, in conflict prevention, and in the strengthening of international security.