Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Carmelo Abela, noted that although there is a common tendency to divide the European Union's Neighbourhood into two - Southern and Eastern - both sides are equally important in ensuring peace and stability in Europe.

"Both regions are facing political and economic challenges, and the EU needs to continue to present itself as a reliable partner and work in close cooperation with governments, local authorities and civil society to help them overcome these hurdles," the Minister told a conference entitled 'European Neighbourhood Policy: Striving for Resilience and Reforms' organised in Berlin by the Germany-based independent foundation Bertelsmann Stiftung. While recalling that the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU prioritised the EU Neighbourhood and made sure that it stayed high on the Foreign Policy agenda, he underscored the importance of adopting a patient approach when assisting partner countries in the implementation of reforms and understand that their pace may not be the same as the Union's.

During the conference, Minister Abela actively participated in a dynamic discussion together with Sven Mikser, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; Maciej Popowski, Deputy Director-General for the Neighbourhood and Enlargement at the European Commission; and Thomas Ossowski, Special Representative for the Negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework and Director for EU Policies at the German Federal Office.

Minister Abela also spoke about the challenge of irregular migration and the need to work closely with countries of origin as well as transit countries. Migration is not just a challenge, but also an opportunity, so our approach needs to focus on managing this phenomenon better. In this regard, he also spoke about the importance of focusing on the internal-external nexus and the need to continue investing in development aid. He also spoke about the notion of widening our horizons and explore ways of also engaging with the so-called "neighbours of our neighbours" in a bid to find common solutions to regional challenges.