Whilst congratulating the new President of the United States, Minister for Foreign Policy Ian Borg gave thanks to the Biden administration which gave “indispensable” support to Malta as it held prominent roles in the U.N Security Council and OSCE.

Borg began by congratulating the newly-voted in President of the United States Donald Trump on his victory which he “clearly and with much support” won for the second time. He said that the Maltese government already worked under a U.S administration under Trump and looks forward to working with it again.

At the same time, he thanked former president Joe Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris for their collaboration with the Maltese government particularly through Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. He said that through entities or the U.S embassy in Malta, the Americans had been of “indispensable” help with regards to the Security Council and the OSCE.

Borg said that despite Malta being a small country, it has managed to make a difference on an international level for two reasons; first as, Secretary General of the U.N António Guterres said, since one always knows where they stand with Malta and secondly, as Anthony Blinken said, that “Malta is an honest broker for peace.” He said that with regards to foreign policy, Malta insists on neutrality however isn’t indifferent and takes an active stance against what is wrong, through dialogue however, not force. He took the opportunity to address PN MP Darren Carabott’s concerns on Malta’s neutrality in saying that the country’s constitutional military neutrality is ensured not only by the state attorney but also by the same parliament.

Borg explained that Malta’s foreign policy encourages cooperation since “together we arrive sooner” and took on the duty to “relentlessly” strive towards peace. He explained that instead of just talking, Malta “rolled up its sleeves” and the stance it took providing humanitarian aid to the Middle East, whilst other nations froze assets was proven to be the right way to proceed since the other nations have come round and are now taking the same stance as Malta.

Borg set that with two members of the OSCE, Russia and Ukraine, at war during Malta’s presidency, was a challenge and the situation was given the highest priority. Meanwhile, he said that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the OSCE is set to be held in Malta which is anticipated to host 56 delegations, which will enhance Maltese dialogue with certain countries such as those in Central Asia.

Borg concluded in saying that the government built a global policy that strengthened Malta’s global status and always gave a clear message pushing for dialogue.

On his part, Shadow Minister for Foreign Policy Beppe Fenech Adami also gave his congratulations to the new president of the United States whilst thanking Biden for his service which was full of challenges starting in a pandemic and seeing multiple new international conflicts. He pointed out that during the Biden administration, ties between Malta and the U.S were strengthened.

Fenech Adami condemned the appointment of Aaron Farrugia as an ambassador, following the “total collapse” of his Infrastructure Ministry, on condition he retains his parliamentary seat. On the other hand, he pointed out that ex-Labour CEO Randolph Debattista was invited to become an ambassador on condition he gives up his parliamentary seat and claimed that following the June elections, the Labour party is showing the effects of internal conflicts, which result in the government “making the world laugh at us.”

Fenech Adami further pointed out that despite Borg claiming the stance of a two-state solution with regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Malta still fails to recognize the Palestinian state. He added that whilst one deputy Labour leader says that Palestine should be recognized at “the opportune moment”, the other is highly vocal on social media on immediate recognition and reiterated that the Labour party is undergoing internal conflicts.