During the Foreign Affairs Council meeting
held in Brussels, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs
and Trade Ian Borg reiterated Malta’s solidarity with Ukraine and its people and
expressed full support for enhanced engagement with the Western Balkans,
whilst also recalling the European Union’s
responsibility towards the Southern neighbourhood.
The Council held a discussion with the ministers
of the Western Balkans and an exchange of views with Ukrainian Minister Kuleba
on the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Malta reiterated its call for an
unconditional ceasefire to be implemented in Ukraine, as well as the
resumption of peace negotiations, and urged Russia
to provide a safe corridor to evacuate civilians and allow humanitarian aid to
flow.
The meeting with the ministers
of the Western Balkans discussed the effects of the war in Ukraine on the
Western Balkans and how the EU could scale up its efforts in the region.
Minister Ian Borg said that
the EU must prioritise the Western Balkans and take heed of their EU membership
aspirations. The EU must continue to inspire and incentivise our partners in
the Western Balkans to continue their paths of reforms while cautioning against
losing credibility amongst the citizens.
The minister
also
reiterated Malta’s support for Albania and North Macedonia’s membership
aspirations. Such a step could also be a transformative development that
inspires other countries in the region to step up their reform efforts. He also
expressed concern regarding the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and
reaffirmed support for the efforts of EU Special Representative Lajčák with
regards to the Belgrade Pristina Dialogue.
The minister also restated
Malta’s support for the EU’s efforts to tackle food and energy challenges beyond
the European borders.
Minister Ian Borg also
participated in the Joint Ministerial EU-Canada Committee meeting with Canadian Foreign
Minister Mélanie Joly, during which an EU-Canada
Joint Declaration was adopted.