Speaking at the Foreign Affairs Council
meeting, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg urged
other EU ministers to ensure that the broadest possible support for Ukraine’s
peace plan is garnered at the UN level. Minister Borg guaranteed Malta’s
continued support to Ukraine and its people as they exercise their right to
defend their country under the UN Charter.
The Foreign Affairs Council Meeting was
held in Brussels and took stock of developments in this first year marking
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and the situation in Afghanistan. The Foreign
Affairs Council meeting took place in the same week as the UN Security Council
debate that Malta is chairing, titled ‘Maintenance of International Peace and
Security of Ukraine’. The debate will be held on 24th February.
Minister Borg underlined the importance of
outlining the forthcoming steps envisaged within the United Nations and other
multilateral fora. He also called for the stepping up of EU diplomatic efforts
with third countries that are being used to aid Russia in circumventing
sanctions and underscored the need for sanctions to be implemented uniformly
amongst member states by streamlining the existing sanctions mechanisms, making
them more effective.
Foreign minister Ian Borg underscored the
importance of a continued coordinated EU approach to the humanitarian situation
of the Afghan people, emphasising the importance of international coordination
to increase pressure on the de-facto authorities. He
condemned the recent repression against women and girls, which are testament to
the authorities’ failure to implement their promises.
As this year marks the 75th anniversary of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, EU ministers
adopted conclusions on EU priorities in human rights fora.
Over lunch, EU ministers
met with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu. The
exchange was an opportunity to hear Moldova’s perspectives on the possible
spill-over effects of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Minister Borg participated in an informal breakfast
meeting with the Russian opposition activist Garry Kasparov hosted by Lithuania
and Poland in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. The meeting
provided an opportunity for the Russian opposition activist to brief EU
Ministers on the human rights and democracy situation in Russia.
