The two officials also discussed the political situation in Libya and the migration challenge in the Mediterranean, however, the DOI press statement has not included further details about their agenda.

The meeting of the two officials took place on the sidelines of The Middle East and Mediterranean (MEM) Summit in Switzerland. Università della Svizzera Italiana organised the summit, which consisted of an eight-day seminar and a two-day high-level public forum.

Mr Abela delivered a speech during a panel entitled “Change through dialogue: ministers and change-makers come together”. He also spoke to the youth from the Middle East and the Mediterranean about the need to recognise them as catalysts for change, the DOI press statement added.

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Mr Abela referred to the youth as the driving force for the successful implementation of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda. “Bearing in mind that half the world’s population is under the age of 30, investing in youth is critical,” the minister said.

“Those who learn from an early age to appreciate democratic values can help build stable democratic and peaceful structures for the future,” the minister said. On this note, he mentioned that Malta became the second country within the European Union after Austria to lower the national voting age to 16, so they can also cast their vote in the upcoming MEP and local council elections. Minister Abela also praised the work of the National Youth Council in Malta and the contribution of Maltese youth to local council work.

“We believe that more emphasis should be put on the benefits of cleaner, climate-smart growth with a view to bringing new jobs, economic opportunities and innovation. Through the engagement of different stakeholders, including the private sector, we can increase the drive towards achieving sustainable, responsible investment opportunities,” Mr Abela said.

The minister added that while the Joint Synthesis Report (JSR) produced by the European Union and its member states on how to implement the sustainable development goals through EU Development Policy shows significant progress, it also has some deficiencies in follow-up measures on the agreed commitments. He urged the mainstreaming of sustainable development across all sectors, as well as he voiced the importance of contribution to be made to the JSR in view of the capacity building measures.

The Development Foreign Affairs Council — chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini — also discussed the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda. The ministers exchanged views on how to successfully tackle the challenges of climate change. The discussion contributed to the preparations for the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, coming up in July this year, as well as to the Climate Summit and the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, to be held in September 2019, as a side event of the United Nations General Assembly, according to the DOI report.

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Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Carmelo Abela, represented Malta at the conference, which is the world’s leading forum debating international security policy, and a platform for governments and its leaders, as well as global senior decision-makers, to address the world’s most pressing security concerns.

Minister Abela also attended former US Secretary of State John Kerry on “Global Threats: What is keeping people up at night?” and a discussion entitled “Climate Change and Security: Rethinking Multilateralism in a Divided World”. The foreign minister also participated in session discussions on the European Union, Transatlantic Co-operation and the implications of a shifting global order, security in Africa and the Middle East.

On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Abela held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Oman, Sudan and Armenia. During the meeting with Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Minister Abela, signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on political consultations between the two countries, according to the DOI press release.

Minister Abela was accompanied on this visit by Permanent Secretary Fiona Formosa and Malta’s Ambassador to Germany Albert Friggieri.

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The foreign minister attended the Ministerial Meeting to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East, in Warsaw, jointly organised by Poland and the United States. Minister Abela underlined that unless peace returns to the Middle East, there can be no peace anywhere else in the world.

He stressed that such a favourable result could only be achieved through joint and coordinated efforts, and ensured that Malta supports all-inclusive dialogue, and is ready to stand bs any initiative that progresses towards peace.

Attending a session on countering terrorism and illicit financing, Minister Abela said terrorism had become a borderless crime, and that only closer cooperation of governments and law enforcement authorities can effectively fight against terrorism.

Minister Abela was accompanied in Warsaw by Permanent Secretary Fiona Formosa and Malta’s Ambassador to Poland John Paul Grech, according to the DOI press statement.

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During what the foreign minister dubbed as a “timely meeting is an opportune moment”, the official emphasised that Malta attaches particular importance towards the ongoing dialogue between the EU and the LAS. Minister Abela also mentioned the importance of the European Commission – League of Arab States Liaison Office (ECLASLO), hosted by Malta since 2009, which he tagged as “one of the most tangible aspects of cooperation between the two blocs”.

The ministerial meeting was held as a preliminary meeting before the EU-LAS Summit, which is scheduled to be held between 24-25 February 2019 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, according to the press statement by the foreign ministry. On the margins of the ministerial meeting, Minister Abela also held bilateral talks with the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Discussions focused upon regional as well as bilateral issues, the press statement adds.

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