Beyond trade and economy, the two ministers agreed on enhanced cooperation in related to culture, tourism, town twinning, transport, vocational training and employment, higher education, research and innovation, health, agriculture and fisheries, as well as issues related to social welfare, such as countering gender-based violence, responding to early childhood development, and cooperation in the field of the elderly, according to the press statement.

The two ministers expressed optimism that the excellent relationship between both neighbouring countries will be further consolidated through commercial and people-to-people contacts, during their talks held in Valletta on Tuesday, according to the press statement by the ministry.

“Our recent and upcoming high-level visits bear further testimony to the importance that Malta gives to closer collaboration with Tunisia”, Minister Abela was reported as saying. “We are proud to have hosted the Malta-Tunisia Joint Commission, which has served to further enhance our mutual relations in a number of different areas. We look forward to further enhancing and consolidating bilateral relations in various sectors,” the minister added according to the press statement.

The ministers also discussed issues of regional concern, with a particular emphasis on attaining peace and stability in the Mediterranean, as well as the situation in Lybia, irregular migration on the Mediterranean and Tunisia-EU relations.

“The two ministers also signed the Agreed Minutes of the 11th session of the Joint Commission, an Agreement on Temporary Employment, a Memorandum of Understanding on Responding to the Development of Early Childhood, a Protocol of Cooperation in the Area of Seniors, and a Programme of Cultural Cooperation for the years 2019-2021,” the foreign ministry reported.

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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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