University of Malta’s Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) and the German Federal Foreign Office have agreed to renew a long-standing agreement for the Academy’s German Chair in Peace and Conflict Prevention.
The agreement was signed by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Malta, Tanja Beyer and President Emeritus and Chairman of MEDAC, George Vella, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg on Friday, 19th December 2025.
The MEDAC German Chair for Peace Studies and Conflict Prevention was established in 2009 in recognition of the vital importance of strengthening Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. The holders of the German Chair through the years have been responsible for delivering post-graduate courses to MEDAC students in contemporary security studies, along with several other academic activities within the same academy.
Deputy Prime Minister Borg thanked Germany for maintaining its crucial contribution to MEDAC for the last 16 years. ‘Amid unprecedented global and regional geopolitical and social challenges, the role of principled and well-prepared diplomats in advancing dialogue and international cooperation is more vital than ever. In this regard, we will continue to support MEDAC in coming years, firm in our shared commitment to education and youth empowerment as the cornerstone of peace, tolerance and justice.’ Dr Borg stated.
Ambassador Beyer added that “education also ranks high in the agenda of the ‘Pact for the Mediterranean’ published by the EU Commission in October this year. Just like Malta, Germany believes that diplomacy, not conflict and war, should prevail in international relations. This is why our countries continue to support MEDAC. The German Chair for Peace Studies and Conflict Prevention is the flagship of our bilateral cooperation.”
Professor Stephen Calleya, MEDAC Director, thanked the Government of Germany for its invaluable support towards MEDAC and highlighted that the German Chair in Peace Studies and Conflict Prevention has been an instrumental pillar in all MEDAC’s academic activities since 2009.
Other officials from the German Embassy in Malta and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism were also present during the signing of the agreement.
MEDAC was established within the University of Malta in 1990, to provide post-graduate studies for junior diplomats as well as students seeking an international career in diplomacy, international and non-government organisations, or the private sector. It has since continued to receive financial and logistical support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Malta, the University of Malta and from other international stakeholders.
