During the Foreign Affairs Council Meeting held today in Luxembourg, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg, reiterated Malta’s condemnation of the recent Hamas attacks against Israel while underscoring Israel’s right to security and self-defence in full respect of international law.
Minister Borg also called for the immediate release of all hostages and the expedient delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and a regional spill over of the conflict. Addressing the scale of the human catastrophe in Gaza, Minister Borg welcomed the EU Commission’s tripling of humanitarian aid and informed that Malta has also doubled its assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Minister Borg urged the EU to remain united and not lose sight of the political perspective for the region. He remarked that the only viable path towards peace in the Middle East remains clear, with a just and comprehensive resolution based on a Two-State Solution in line with relevant UNSC resolutions. Minister Borg reiterated that Malta will be continuing its engagement in the UN Security Council on this very important matter.
On Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Minister Borg reiterated Malta’s support for a just, comprehensive, stable, and durable peace agreement based on President Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan. On the Peace Plan, Minister Borg also informed his counterparts that Malta will host the third meeting of national security experts on October 28th and 29th, 2023, and urged colleagues to ensure EU member states are represented at the appropriate level.
Photos: MFET
