Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg represented Malta at the 61st Munich Security Conference, in Germany, this weekend.
The Munich Security Council is the foremost global security policy forum, where world leaders meet to discuss ongoing conflicts and other security concerns. This year, the Maltese delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Borg, joined more than 50 world leaders to reaffirm Malta’s commitment to diplomacy and dialogue. In two days of bilateral meetings and events, Dr Borg engaged with other foreign ministers, security experts, and representatives of leading international and non-governmental organisations.
“As we continue to witness the hardships of wars and conflicts in the Mediterranean and other neighbouring regions, we reiterate our call for unity and international cooperation. Multi-lateralism and dialogue are the only path for nations to find common ground on shared security challenges, towards lasting peace, sustainability, and prosperity,” Dr Borg said.
On the margins of the conference, the Maltese Deputy Prime Minister held talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, highlighting Malta’s full support for the EU’s continued engagement and cooperation in the Western Balkans.
He also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže; the Minister Delegate for Europe of France, Benjamin Haddad; and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Europe and NATO, David Baker.
The upcoming Maltese Presidency of the Council of Europe was high on the agenda.
“As we mark the 60th anniversary since we joined the Council of Europe, our Presidency will continue promoting an inclusive and equal society that empowers youth as policymakers of today and tomorrow,” said the Deputy Prime Minister, reminding that Malta will be reviving the Council’s Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth, after a 13-year absence.
Youth engagement was also discussed during one of the conference’s side events, focusing on the inclusion of youth in peace and security matters. “It is in the international community’s best interests to guarantee a safe and empowering environment for young human rights defenders and peacebuilders to operate in,” Dr Borg commented, “because young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the change-makers of today.”
In a meeting with the Executive Director of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Natalia Gherman, the Maltese delegation discussed the Global Conference of Counter-Terrorism experts to revise the Bogotá Principles, which will be held in Malta next month. Dr Borg thanked CTED for choosing Malta for this conference, reflecting the country’s growing international reputation.
The Deputy Prime Minister also met with the EU Special Representative for the Gulf, Luigi Di Maio, and the EU Special Representative for the Sahel, Joao Gomez Cravinho, to discuss EU engagement on issues of common interest, including migration, maritime security, and counterterrorism.
Photo: MFT
