The bilateral relations between Malta and Austria, the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine together with the multilateral positions in the United Nations Security Council, the fields of gaming and pharmaceuticals among others , the challenge of immigration and discussions at European Union level were the main themes discussed in a meeting that Prime Minister Robert Abela had in Vienna with Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer.
In the Chancellery in the Austrian capital, the Prime Minister Robert Abela defined the solid basis of the relations between the two countries which should serve for Malta and Austria to continue to strengthen the cooperation for more opportunities that the peoples can enjoy of both countries. In comments to journalists after the meetings with Chancellor Nehammer, Prime Minister Abela said that in the face of world challenges including in Europe and the Mediterranean, the call for dialogue grows.
They said this against the background that both Malta and Austria embrace neutrality, with the Maltese Prime Minister pointing out that however this does not mean that there are no firm positions that push for peace. Here he repeated the call for a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East and a multilateral dialogue in the structures of the United Nations as Malta is already doing with a seat in the Security Council.
Regarding the field of gaming, about which there are issues between the two countries, Prime Minister Abela pointed out that the priority remains the integrity and strength of the Maltese jurisdiction in a sector in which our country has been a pioneer for so long which designed a robust legal framework even in remote gaming accessible in the Single Market of the European Union.
Dr. Abela said that licensed operators in Malta will continue to be protected from baseless legal challenges while he explained that the aim of a legal amendment for the gaming sector, which was passed towards the middle of this year, is to protect restricted against procedures that do not respect the European principle of a free market but the same amendment does not preclude legal actions in case of violation of the gaming law. In the discussions in Vienna in relation to the pharmaceutical sector, Malta looks forward to more cooperation including an exchange of information between the regulators of medicines in our country and in Austria in favor of quality, safety and efficiency in -distribution of medicinal products.
The two leaders also discussed the strategic importance of the Mediterranean region, especially in light of issues related to immigration but also in terms of the collective responsibility of the entire European Union to prevent the -arrivals and the work that brings results with relations with countries in North Africa, such as Libya and Tunisia. On other discussions at the European level, apart from Ukraine, where here the leaders spoke about the strength of actions in favor of solidarity and peace, with Malta once again being instrumental by welcoming the Ukraine Peace Formula, the Prime The Minister and the Chancellor also discussed the membership of other countries in the European Union, particularly those in the Western Balkans.
Prime Minister Abela stressed that the European Union has given a direction of cooperation with countries from this region, with the same countries now wanting to work on reforms in favor of the rule of law. He said that the strategic cooperation of the European Union should also continue to be strengthened in other regions including the Mediterranean, with countries in North Africa in important sectors such as energy.
In Vienna, Prime Minister Robert Abela was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg, the Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri, the Minister for Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri, the Ambassador of Malta to Austria Natasha Meli Daudey, and the Head of the Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister Glenn Micallef.
Photos OPM-DOI
