Malta will continue to do its utmost to foster dialogue, and to support effective diplomacy towards peace and the resolution of ongoing conflicts, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg said during the annual New Year's greetings event for ambassadors and high commissioners on Wednesday evening.
Reflecting on 2024, he expressed gratitude for the diplomatic community's constructive engagement during a year of significant global challenges. He noted that Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, ongoing instability in the Middle East, and conflicts in regions like Sudan have tested international resolve but also highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation.
"In the Middle East, Malta will continue to insist that the Two-State Solution is the only viable, peaceful, and just resolution that addresses the legitimate aspirations of both Israel and Palestine", stated Deputy Prime Minister Borg. In this regard, Malta welcomes Wednesday evening's news of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, he said, as he expressed gratitude to Qatar, the US, and Egypt for their role in this development.
On Ukraine, he emphasised Malta's commitment to working with global partners to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with the principles of the UN Charter.
Malta's achievements on the international stage were also high on the agenda during the event. Deputy Prime Minister Borg said that Malta's successful role as chair of the OSCE and its two-year tenure on the UN Security Council have reconfirmed the shared commitment to ensuring that multilateral institutions remain functional and adaptable. "We managed to reach consensus on the OSCE's top leadership posts and the 2026 Chairpersonship in December", the Deputy Prime Minister reminded. As a member of the UN Security Council, Malta advanced initiatives on climate change, children and armed conflict, and women, peace, and security.
Looking ahead, Malta will be presiding over the Council of Europe between May and November. Borg will also chair the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group and the OSCE Asian Partners for Cooperation Group, further cementing Malta's role in global diplomacy.
Borg expressed Malta's hope that the European Union continues to register progress on its path to welcome new members, based on merit, adding that the future of the Union depends on its ability to establish strong relationships with its partners.
As he underscored Malta's commitment to further develop its global bilateral relations, he also encouraged the diplomats present to consider tourism as one of the industries that can provide many opportunities for trade and people-to-people interactions between countries. In this regard, Malta looks forward to exploring new collaborations, particularly in niche markets such as cultural, sports, and faith tourism, while underscoring the importance of air connectivity with initiatives like the new Malta-Qatar direct flights announced last week.