Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo has called for sound political leadership to calm the current turbulent political climate. Minister Bartolo said we again need détente in Europe and in the Mediterranean and said Malta attaches a lot of importance to the Mediterranean dimension. European security is inextricably linked with that of the Mediterranean.

This partnership must go beyond mere lip service and become more meaningful, focusing on real concrete cooperation that will benefit all sides. Dialogue and negotiation are mostly needed with those with whom we least agree, he said.

Minister Evarist Bartolo addressed the 28th Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)  in Stockholm, Sweden. The Council is the central decision-making and governing body of the OSCE. The meeting, held annually, provides the Foreign Ministers of the 57 OSCE participating States an opportunity to review and assess the Organization’s activities and strengthen the dialogue on security issues in the OSCE area.

Minister Bartolo argued that multilateralism cannot be weakened first and in turn be considered as dysfunctional. With reference to the military industrial complex, he asserted that such industry has become an integral part of the export sector within the economy of different countries, as military powers continue to win wars and lose peace. He concluded his statement by saying that dialogue and regional cooperation should prevail if we intend to secure a peaceful coexistence, as the only alternative to that would be catastrophe.

During this Council in Stockholm, Minister Bartolo also held bilateral talks with his counterparts to promote collaboration in the Mediterranean region. He was accompanied in the Swedish Capital by the Permanent Representative of Malta to the OSCE, Natasha Meli Daudey and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Christopher Cutajar.