On behalf of the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Byron Camilleri, Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg participated in the meeting of EU Ministers of Defence held in Brussels on the 15th November 2022.
During the meeting, the Parliamentary Secretary, together with the other EU Defence ministers, were briefed by the High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, on the latest updates regarding the EU’s Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, on further EU engagement in Niger, Operation Atalanta, the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, and the financial situation of the European Peace Facility. The ministers were also presented with the ongoing work on the security and defence package.
The meeting of ministers later discussed the ongoing work on defence capabilities and operational realities facing the European Union and its Member States. The Parliamentary Secretary welcomed the ongoing work in the development of defence capabilities and remarked that Malta is interested in participating in the joint procurement of military equipment ensuring there is an improved supply of equipment at a lower cost base. Malta notes that success in this area would hinge on achieving an efficient process, lower cost base and reduced bureaucratic burdens on defence ministries.
The ministers also had the opportunity to have an informal exchange of views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and its global implications. During the final session of the meeting, the Defence Minister of Ukraine attended the meeting through VTC and briefed Ministers on the latest developments as well as on the continued needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also attended this part of the meeting. The Parliamentary Secretary underlined Malta’s support to Ukraine and that the actions of Russia go against the principles of the United Nations Charter, which principles should remain the guide towards which all countries should act.
Parliamentary Secretary Buttigieg stated that the respect for established borders remains a fundamental basis of international law and unilateral attempts at changing them through threats and violence is and will always be unacceptable. Parliamentary Secretary Buttigieg also remarked that notwithstanding our neutrality, which is enshrined in our constitution, Malta has been able to support and contribute to the European Peace Facility assistance measures, notably through non-lethal support.
