In another extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council meeting of the European Union, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo reiterated Malta’s support to Ukraine and its people while condemned once again Russia’s actions.

Minister Bartolo remarked that while Malta is neutral militarily, Malta “sides with the values of sovereignty, independence, the equality of nations, the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the rejection of the use of military force to change borders and impose security arrangements on other countries”.

The Foreign Affairs Council meeting was convened again to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and further streamline the EU-NATO actions on restrictive measures adopted recently. An exchange of views with the US Secretary of State, UK and Canada Foreign Ministers and NATO Secretary-General was also held.

Minister Bartolo emphasised the importance of maintaining a solid and unified response through powerful sanctions against key Russian institutions and leaders, together with an effective implementation is paramount.

Furthermore, Minister Bartolo praised the Ukrainian and Russian communities living peacefully together in Malta and cautioned against creating a climate of incitement and hate speech against ordinary Russians. Minister Bartolo concluded that “a war for hearts and minds is going on, and we must win it”.

 

 

CAPTION 

Minister Evarist Bartolo with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, Croatian Foreign Minister Grlić Radman before the meeting for EU Ministers in Brussels.