“As we look back at 75 years of accomplishments by working together within the Council of Europe, we must strengthen our resolve as to how much more we can achieve if we remain united in our values.” On Friday, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to uphold the principles and values upon which the Council of Europe was founded, as he addressed the 133rd Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of this organisation.
Taking note of the fact that the meeting coincided with IDAHOT+ Day, Minister Borg emphasised that Europe must seek to eliminate discrimination in all its forms and embrace the diverse richness of humanity.
While recognising the Council of Europe’s 75-year history of advancing its core values of human rights, democracy and the rule law, Minister Borg reminded that with an ongoing war on European soil, the region must guard against complacency.
“We need to maintain our support and solidarity with our brave Ukrainian friends in their fight for peace and freedom, for as long as it takes,” he added.
Speaking on international and regional cooperation, the Minister stated that enhanced collaboration and cooperation with other international organisations and neighbouring regions allow for greater synergies, coordination, and coherence in addressing common challenges.
In the margins of the Committee of Ministers, Minister Borg also participated in a youth dialogue, wherein he exchanged views with young people from across Europe. The Minister reiterated that youth are central to the country’s policy agenda, with youth empowerment set to be one of the priorities of the Maltese Presidency of the Council of Europe next year.
During his visit, the Minister attended other engagements in his role of Chair-in-Office of the OSCE, including a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Dominique Hasslet, the outgoing President of the Council of Europe, and the Secretary-General of the same organisation Marija Pejčinović Burić. They agreed to continue strengthening existing synergies between these two multilateral organisations, to streamline resources and ensure a more comprehensive response to challenges on the ground.
Photo: MFET
