In a meeting in the Auberge de Castille with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke about Malta’s priorities when it assumes the Council Presidency next May, for a six-month term.
The themes that Malta will focus on were mentioned here, including the participation of young people in democratic life, the protection of children’s rights, the promotion of equality and the fight against discrimination and violence, as well as the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the Council of Europe and the crucial values it upholds. He expressed satisfaction that Malta will hold the Presidency in the same year that it is celebrating 60 years of membership in this European organization.
Prime Minister Abela said that at a time when democratic values must continue to be renewed among new generations, the participation of young people remains a central element. He also spoke about how in our country we have Vote 16 and the Youth Advisory Forum in which the prime minister and the country’s executive discuss policy and initiatives with young people selected after a public call, with the participation of the National Youth Council. Regarding the strengthening of the rule of law, Prime Minister Robert Abela noted the role of the Venice Commission within the Council of Europe, while saying that our country welcomed important recommendations from this Commission with which it strengthened the independence of institutions in our country.
The Prime Minister stated that the Maltese Government continued to push forward ambitious legislative reforms in which it worked hand in hand with the Council of Europe. Regarding Ukraine, Robert Abela said that as it did in the United Nations Security Council as well as during its OSCE Presidency, Malta will continue to support this war-torn country during its Presidency of the Council of Europe, and will provide it with the support it deserves, including by supporting the different efforts of the Council of Europe in this regard.
Accompanying the Prime Minister at the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg, Malta’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe Francesca Camilleri, Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Christopher Cutajar and Head of the Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister Mark Mallia.
Photo: DOI/OPM
