“In the face of global challenges, we must redouble our efforts to ensure that democracy, peace and human rights prevail” – Deputy Prime Minister Borg
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, in his role as the President of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, addressed the OSCE Permanent Council and outlined the priorities of the 2025 Council of Europe Presidency, on Thursday morning, in Vienna.
Dr Borg returned to the headquarters of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) a few months after the end of the 2024 Maltese Chairpersonship of this organisation. Reaffirming Malta’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism, he underscored the crucial role of the two European organisations in promoting peace, security and cooperation.
“This is a decisive moment for Europe, as existing and new challenges continue to pose serious threats to multilateralism and the values of democracy, peace and respect for human rights. We cannot remain complacent. We need to redouble our efforts to ensure that these values prevail,” he stated.
Deputy Prime Minister Borg thanked the 57 participating states for supporting the Maltese Chairpersonship’s efforts in 2024. “Our collective achievements last year, including agreement on the Top 4 positions and the Swiss Chairpersonship in 2026, demonstrate that despite the growing geopolitical pressures we face, consensus can still be reached – thanks to your constructive spirit and belief in diplomacy. And above all, thanks to political will.”
A key focus of his address was Ukraine, as Dr Borg reiterated his call for justice in the face of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. Malta’s Council of Europe Presidency will take all necessary steps to facilitate the establishment of the Special Tribunal on Crimes of Aggression, which Ukraine and European leaders agreed upon recently, in Lviv, to ensure justice and accountability for the people of Ukraine.
“Malta’s Council of Europe priorities reflect a deep commitment to giving a voice to those who are often unheard – to individuals facing vulnerability and marginalisation, to those subjected to inequality and discrimination due to gender or sexual orientation, to the thousands of women facing oppression and violence solely because they are women, to victims of human trafficking and to children victims of sexual abuse and exploitation, which continues to be exacerbated by the misuse of digital technologies,” Dr Borg explained.
Malta’s Presidency of the Council of Europe will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights – the cornerstone of human rights protection, democracy and rule of law.
“Together, we can foster stronger institutional cooperation and reinforce our shared efforts towards a stronger and more resilient Europe. We owe it to our people,” Dr Borg concluded, as he appealed for closer cooperation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE.
In Vienna, the Maltese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Borg also met with the OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, and with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Jan Braathu, two of the Top Four OSCE officials appointed through the unanimous consensus reached during the Ministerial Council in Malta last December.
Dr Borg also had a meeting with the Permanent Representative of Finland to the OSCE and the 2025 Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council, Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen, to congratulate Finland on its Chairpersonship endeavours so far and to express Malta’s full cooperation as a Troika member, in support of Finland’s priorities.
Photo: ODPM-MFT
