The final document of the G20 Interfaith Forum held in Bologna, Italy, endorsed a proposal put forward by Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo that it is the time to call a Conference on Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean. Minister Bartolo told the conference there cannot be peace in Europe if there is no peace in the Mediterranean. Europe needs to revive the spirit of Helsinki insisting such a conference could be convened in 2025, the 50th anniversary of the Conference on Security and Co-Operation in Europe held in Helsinki in 1975.
Representatives of the Italian Government and the Vatican attending the conference acknowledged the importance of implementing Minister Bartolo’s proposal and said that the Mediterranean countries need to meet and work together for the common good and peace in the Mediterranean.
Minister Bartolo also met former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi who recognised the importance of Malta’s proposal. Mr Prodi urged the Maltese government to pursue its Mediterranean vocation which he said is of paramount importance in view of the new and evolving challenges facing the Mediterranean.
The G20 Interfaith Forum was also addressed by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Photo: MFEA (Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo meets former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi in Bologna)
