The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela participated in the 4th session of the EU-Arab World Summit that was held in Athens on the 29th of October 2019. The overall theme of the Summit was ‘A Strategic Partnership’, touching upon new areas on economic cooperation and investments, including in the fields of energy, trade, science, technology and healthcare. The Summit brought together Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs from European and Arab countries, as well as high-level representatives from Mediterranean regional fora.
Minister Abela delivered a speech during a panel session, entitled ‘An Era Of Realignment: The Need For A New European-Arab World Approach’. During his address, the Minister underlined the importance for Europe and the Arab world to work together, stating that peace and prosperity in our common neighbourhood can only be achieved through joint and coordinated efforts. He emphasized the importance of continued engagement between the EU and the Arab world.
Underlining the importance of economic prosperity in our neighbourhood, Minister Abela also highlighted the need to develop a positive cooperation agenda, especially in the fields of trade and commerce, energy, science, emerging technologies, health research and development. It is important to have an environment that enables and encourages such exchanges in these areas.
The Minister also referred to Malta’s continuous efforts to promote such engagement, citing Malta’s hosting of the first EU-LAS Ministerial Meeting, and the presence of the European Commission-League of Arab States Liaison Office (ECLASLO) in Malta. It is essential for the European and Arab countries to continue deepening relations while exploring new avenues of cooperation. In this context, Minister Abela underlined the importance of youth and young people, more inclusive societies, economic prosperity and sustainable development principles that should remain at the forefront of the collective Euro-Arab efforts.
On the margins of the Summit, Minister Abela also held a brief meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Palestine Nabil Aburdeineh, during which discussions focused mainly on the latest regional developments in the Mediterranean and the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP).