Representatives of the Italian Government and the Vatican praised a proposal by Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo to hold a Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean in the spirit of Helsinki in 1975, arguing that the Mediterranean countries need to meet and work together for the common good and peace in the Mediterranean.
The proposal was put forward during a world meeting being held in Bologna on the link between religions and international politics and their role in addressing problems in the world today.
Minister Evarist Bartolo said that many problems have accumulated in the Mediterranean and there is a need for the countries on both shores of the Mediterranean to discuss the way forward to address these problems.
Minister Bartolo said that the European Union should pay more attention to the Mediterranean and Africa because its security and peace are linked to this region.
The Minister mentioned the challenges of climate change, the pandemic, the livelihoods of millions living in the Mediterranean, the conflicts and wars, trade and immigration that need to be addressed.