2023 is the year during which Malta and Liechtenstein are commemorating the 20th anniversary since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established. This was discussed during a bilateral meeting between the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport of Liechtenstein Dominique Hasler, who is in Malta for the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe.
Minister Borg thanked Liechtenstein for their support for the funds from the EEA & Norway Grants. He outlined how these funds helped to further strengthen the social and cultural sectors in our country and stated that he looks forward to the conclusion of the next programme, in the near future. During the discussion, the Ministers also spoke about cooperation in the cultural and even educational sector, and the possibility of an agreement, through which relations can continue to be strengthened. Minister Borg claimed that there is also a need to strengthen the commercial relationship between the two countries, particularly in the tourism sector, films, science and ICT, among others.
Cooperation on a multilateral basis was also discussed. Malta, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, looks forward to cooperating with Liechtenstein during its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, particularly within the Bureau of Committee of Ministers’ Deputies.
Minister Hasler thanked Minister Borg for the welcome given to her delegation and also to the Liechtenstein athletes. She also claimed on the need to continue exploring more possibilities of cooperation in multilateral fora. She emphasised how, despite the small size of both countries, a strong collaboration in these fora can lead to concrete results for the benefit of the citizens of the two respective countries.
