Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg is participating in the Munich Security Conference, in which various European leaders are attending in order to discuss the latest developments on security and international peace. Malta, being one of the countries of the United Nations Security Council, therefore plays an important role.
In the margins of this conference, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg had a number of bilateral meetings with the aim of strengthening our country’s international relations.
Minister Borg commenced by meeting Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Philippines Enrique A. Manalo, during which collaboration, particularly in the maritime sector, was discussed, considering that both countries have a strong maritime industry. Dr Borg also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani as well as with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, where the continuation of strengthening the strong relations that have been created in recent times were discussed, with the aim of benefitting both peoples.
In light of the recent elections in Brazil, in Munich, Minister Borg had the opportunity to meet the new Foreign Minister, Mauro Viera. During this meeting, discussions fell upon the opening of the Maltese Embassy in Brazil during 2022, which marked the first diplomatic representation in South America, and how Malta is looking forward in continuing to expand this work.
Together with Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Dačić and Minister for European Integration Tanja Miščević, the relations of the two countries were discussed, also from a European perspective. Furthermore, Serbia’s commitments for the EXPO2027 were also discussed. Minister Borg also had the opportunity to wish Petr Pavel every success as he has just been elected President of the Czech Republic.
During this conference, Minister Borg also had a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dymtro Kuleba, where they discussed the last preparations for the debate to be held during next week, organised by the Maltese Presidency of the United Nations Security Council on the anniversary since the Russian Federation started its aggression on Ukraine.
Dr Borg also had discussions with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg and Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edstadler, as well as with Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Romania Bogdan Aurescu, of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, of Italy Antonio Tajani, Spain’s José Manuel Albares Bueno and Netherland’s Wopke Hoekstra. Minister Ian Borg also had a meeting with the Opposition Leader of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Photo: MFET
