“Malta will continue to work to promote ongoing dialogue
and strengthening human rights on the United Nations Security Council” – this was stated by Minister for
Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg during a meeting he held with
the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres in New York.Minister
Ian Borg reiterated Malta’s
priorities if it is elected to the Security Council and explained that Malta believes in the importance of
a multilateral fora such as the United Nations, in multilateralism, and also in
the charter of the same United Nations.
From
his end Secretary-General Guterres said, “Malta is a country with an exemplary
relationship with the United Nations and I look forward to strengthen our
cooperation.”
During
his visit to New York, Minister Borg continued with further meetings, including
with Mozambican Foreign Minister Verónica Macamo. Both sides agreed on the need
for more cooperation, also in view of the strong values that the two countries
hold in terms of multilateralism.
On
World Oceans Day, on the 8th of June, Minister Borg also met with Portuguese
Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho. Malta and Portugal are two nations
surrounded by the sea; therefore, discussions were developed on the need to
make greater commitment to climate change, and to peace and security at sea and
in the surrounding oceans.
Minister
Borg also held a meeting with Judge Carmel Lino Agius who in 2018 was appointed
President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
whereby Minister
Borg thanked him for his work and service. The minister for foreign affairs
also met with Abdulla Shahid who is serving as the President of the 76th
session of the United Nations General Assembly and Minister for Public
Administration of Ecuador Ivan Correa. Minister Ian Borg also met with Swiss
President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis, with whom he also had
a phone call a few days ago.
