Japan represents, in fact, Malta’s 6th biggest Trade Partner outside the European Union. Malta’s highest trade surplus for 2018 is with Japan with importation standing at around €67m, exportation at around €150m and with trade balance standing at a surplus of around €84m. 

“Our goal is to improve the level of trade by assisting the development of further business opportunities between Japan and Malta”, said Mr Micallef.

The President of the Malta-Japan Chamber of Commerce Anthony Micallef stated that 44 companies in Malta export to Japan products like steel, metal alloys and electrical switches. 

In addition, the minister spoke about Malta’s commitment to open an embassy in Japan by 2020 as part of its holistic strategy to expand its horizons worldwide. The preparations are currently underway in the identification of premises, according to the DOI press statement. 

The representatives present of the Malta-Japan Chamber of Commerce were President Anthony Micallef, General Secretary Stephanie Mizzi, Treasurer Joseph Pirotta and Council Member Jesmond Pace. 

The Ambassador of Malta to Japan André Spiteri and Chief Executive Officer of Trade Malta Anton Buttigieg were also present. 

Mr Abela also noted that Malta has politically supported Japan’s bid to host the World Expo in the city of Osaka between 3 May and 3 November 2025 under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.

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The two foreign ministers discussed pending bilateral issues between the two sides, as well as global issues, however, the DOI press statement does not include further details the two officials touched upon.

Mr Abela also exchanged views with Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the USSR and President of the International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies (The Gorbachev Foundation). On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Malta Summit held on 2-3 December 1989, the two politicians commemorated when US President George H. W. Bush and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev would declare an end to the Cold War aboard the Soviet passenger liner Maxim Gorky anchored in a roadstead off the coast of Marsaxlokk.

Mr Abela also presented books in Maltese to the Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature. The library’s collection of about five million items in more than 140 languages had not included any in Maltese, prior to the event.

The minister also visited the premises of the Maltese embassy and consulate general in Moscow, where he met with the staff.

Throughout his visit to Moscow, Mr Abela was accompanied by Malta’s ambassador to Russia, Pierre Clive Agius, and by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Fiona Formosa.

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The overall objective of the Young Mediterranean Voices programme is to empower the youth to enhance a culture of dialogue to contribute to public policy. Its aim is to hold an intercultural debate and creative thinking on how to transform youth voices to youth agency and leadership for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Youth included in the programme is offered an intercultural debate competition addressing quality education, gender equality, climate action, peace, justice, and strong institutions. Three of the participants and one of the ten judges were Maltese. 

“It is our duty to build the next generation of Euro-Mediterranean dialogue leaders to transform debate into action for a sustainable future”, said Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela during his address at the first Euro-Med Debate and Policy Forum. 

Minister Abela presented awards to the winners of the debate competition for best female debater, best male debater, and the best team. He encouraged the youth to encompass the boldness, the determination, and the foresight to fulfil the vision of the 2030 Agenda. 

“As the driving force in modern-day technology, you as young people, can most able promote renewable energy sources, climate change education and awareness, and the protection of the environment while calling for just and inclusive societies”, Mr Abela said. 

Calling for further debates

Following the completion of the debate and policy forum, Mr Abela said that now policymakers need to guarantee that the numerous debates and arguments generated on various policies are duly analysed and the most insightful ideas need to be acted upon. 

He also said that this approach fits with the UN Youth Strategy 2030 and the EU Youth Strategy 2027 to ensure that the youth is at the forefront of our common agenda. Moreover, he added that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion together with other entities in Malta stand ready to support the Anna Lindh Foundation in the development of a Young Mediterranean Voices Leadership Academy, as the press release says. 

Organised by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, the Anna Lindh Foundation, the British Council, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations, and co-funded by the European Commission, it provided an open space for youth from across the Mediterranean as well as empowerment to lead positive change with their innovative ideas and solutions.

The countries of representation of these young delegates were Algeria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Palestine, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.

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Malta hosted one of the five preparatory forums in April 2019 held in the run-up to the summit which focused on youth, education and mobility. 

The forum entitled “Investing in a Mediterranean Generation” brought together mostly youths from the region who spoke about their aspirations for the region. Maltese civil society representatives attended these five fora and have already received positive reactions from potential development partners, as the press release says.

President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron engaged with the ten Chefs de File, including Simone Borg from Malta, the main representatives of civil society from each participating state that spoke on their experiences and their aspirations for the future, according to the DOI press release.

The Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Carmelo Abela, who was accompanied by Malta’s Ambassador to the Republic of France Helga Mizzi, highlighted the significant role played by civil society in this process, placing emphasis on youth potential and on the need to seize this opportunity to open up space for youth-led initiative in the region. 

At the end of the summit, Mr Abela held a courtesy meeting with the recently appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Algeria Sabri Boukadoum, wherein they discussed the enhancement of bilateral relations.

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The meeting took place on the sidelines of the European Development Days (EDD). The EDD is Europe’s leading forum on development and has been held every year since 2006. This event is organised by the European Commission and brings the development community together to share ideas. Moreover, it experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, as the DOI press statement says.

This year’s theme was “Addressing inequalities: Building a world which leaves no one behind”. It was chosen especially in view of the United Nations’ High-Level Political Forum, during which the UN will take stock of the deliverance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.

Malta’s presence at the EDD highlighted the country’s longstanding commitment to development and the implementation of the SDGs, the government press release insists. Taking the floor at a discussion under the theme “In search of equality: Migration, forced displacement, and the SDGs”, Minister Carmelo Abela stressed the need for a comprehensive regional and global approach to migration, a balanced narrative on the phenomenon, and the direct involvement of the youth to achieve lasting solutions.

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