Malta has called for stronger cooperation between the European Union and its southern Mediterranean neighbours, arguing that Europe's prosperity and security are closely linked to stability across the wider region, the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs said in a statement.
Speaking at the MED9 Conference in Trogir, Croatia, Foreign Minister Chris Fearne said the Mediterranean should be viewed as a shared region rather than as a dividing line between Europe and its southern neighbours.
"The Mediterranean is not a border. It is a shared region," Fearne said.
The minister argued that closer engagement with countries on the southern shore should extend beyond migration, which he described as a symptom of broader challenges facing the region.
Fearne said stronger political and economic relations were needed to promote stability and prosperity across the Mediterranean, while highlighting ongoing discussions with the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean as an opportunity to deepen cooperation.
The MED9 meeting also addressed the European Union's long-term budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), as well as EU enlargement and its security implications.
On the MFF, Fearne said EU decisions should contribute to making Europe "safer, more competitive and more prosperous" by strengthening national economies.
He also stressed the importance of cohesion between Member States, arguing that all countries should be able to participate in Europe's economic development. Malta, he said, also wanted EU funding to remain accessible to smaller member states.
Fearne reiterated Malta's support for EU enlargement, saying further integration could contribute to prosperity and stability while strengthening the Mediterranean dimension of the Union.
He called for accession processes to progress without unnecessary delays, while maintaining that outstanding issues should be resolved before countries join the bloc.
The minister also underlined Malta's support for retaining unanimity in major EU political decisions.
Fearne argued that common positions should continue to be reached through consensus, ensuring that citizens across all Member States are represented in major decisions.
The comments come as the EU continues discussions on its future budget, enlargement and its broader approach to the Mediterranean.
For Malta, the Mediterranean remains a central strategic priority, with the government maintaining that closer cooperation between the two shores is essential to addressing shared economic, security and social challenges.