Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs George W. Vella during the informal meeting of Secretaries General

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr George W. Vella discusses the Maltese Presidency Priorities

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I welcome you to Malta for the first official meeting being held on the eve of the Maltese Presidency. The first of January will represent a historic day for Malta as it takes over the Presidency responsibilities for the first time since its accession to the EU in 2004. I can assure you that we will spare no effort to make sure that our Presidency is a successful one and that our common goals and objectives are met. We very much rely on your cooperation to make this happen.

Malta’s Presidency will focus on six main priorities: (i) Migration; (ii) the Single Market; (iii) Security; (iv) Social Inclusion; (v) the European Neighbourhood; and (vi) Maritime Affairs.

Allow me to begin with social inclusion, a point that is very dear to me and that I believe merits special attention. The Maltese Presidency will work hard to register progress on this issue, particularly concerning the low participation of women in the labour market and the issue of gender equality.

Malta will continue to give prominence to combatting gender-based violence, more specifically by promoting the sharing of best practices, exchange of information on existing legislation, policies and strategies, and statistical data and studies on violence against women. Malta will also hold a conference at Ministerial level on LGBTIQ issues to further explore the Commission’s roadmap in this area.

The Maltese Presidency will also be focusing on the single market, a priceless asset for the EU that will bring tangible benefits to our economies, businesses and families if used to its full potential. We aim to deliver as much as possible in this area, by working on the legislation already on the table emanating from the Single Market Strategy, the Capital Markets Union, the Energy Union and the Digital Single Market Strategy.

With regard to maritime affairs, our aim here is to make sure that the EU is tapping into all the opportunities that our seas and oceans have to offer. This sector fits naturally with Malta’s legislative priorities and it provides a diverse spectrum of innovative research and commercial activities that could be developed into high value-added job opportunities in line with the Blue Growth Initiative towards growth and competitiveness. We will work for Council to give political guidance through an integrated maritime policy that encompasses a number of areas. Among these will be marine environment, nautical tourism, the blue economy and many others.

The other three priorities, the European Neighbourhood, security and migration, are more closely connected, and they are certainly three of the most recurring issues discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in the past few months.

Sadly, another year has passed and the situation in our neighbourhood remains, generally speaking, a precarious one. We are still surrounded by a ring of fire, caught between political instability in candidate countries, violence and terror in the southern neighbourhood, and the volatile and unstable situation in the east.

The Mediterranean is currently heavily laden with conflict, instability and socio-economic challenges. As the last Mediterranean Presidency for the current term, it is surely expected of us to give particular attention to the Southern Neighbourhood. Countries in the MENA region are facing serious crises, ranging from socio-economic problems to violent conflicts, youth unemployment, radicalisation, environmental degradation and migration. Although countries like Tunisia are faring considerably

well, others like Libya and Syria are still going through their darkest hour and the light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere to be seen.

The Middle East Peace Process too seems to have stalled. We therefore need to make an extra effort to create the right conditions to rebuild trust, bring the two parties back to the negotiating table in a desperate attempt to preserve the two-state solution.

The persistent tensions in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova too merit particular attention in view of the security and humanitarian situation. Malta will continue to promote regional cooperation with the EaP countries and encourage them to continue to make progress in the fields of democracy, good governance, stability, economic development, energy cooperation and resolution of conflicts.

Thankfully the EU has amply manifested its readiness to not just stand helplessly in the face of such tragedies happening right on its doorstep. Our external policy has been activated to find ways and means of countering these threats to peace in the region.

In addressing these external issues, Malta will give substantial consideration to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) as it is our long-standing conviction that it can play a vital role in improving the daily lives of people. The ENP can be a particularly effective tool if the EU presents itself as a reliable partner, listens to what its partners have to say and ensures that they too are on board throughout the entire process. Differentiation between and among partners in the east and the south is the way forward in achieving the policy’s goals.

The ENP is now embedded in the new Global Strategy ensuring greater coherence in the Union’s external action. This also means that it can contribute towards having more resilient societies, improve the security and economic situation in partner countries and lead to a more stable and secure neighbourhood in the medium to long-term.

In speaking about the neighbourhood, I cannot not mention the countries of the Western Balkans. Malta will strive to make sure that this region is given its due attention. The EU needs to remain engaged in this region and Malta will continue to promote EU Enlargement and the Stabilisation and Association Process, not only for the sake of stability, but also so that that European values in these countries are strengthened. Failure to do so could result in a lack of credibility in the EU by the negotiating countries leading to stagnation in their respective reform agendas. As with our predecessors, Malta will be working with EU Member States and institutions to make sure that the momentum in the negotiations with all the Western Balkan countries is maintained.

Turkey too remains an important regional actor and a strategic partner for both Malta and the EU. Malta will be closely monitoring developments in Turkey, including the practical implications of the State of Emergency, with the hope that, given the right conditions, accession negotiations and the modernisation of the Customs Union could be discussed under the Maltese Presidency. As things stand I do not think the EU should close Turkey out in the cold. All channels of communications should be left open.

Migration, another priority, has been one of the main and most obvious consequences of this mayhem in the neighbourhood and will be high on our agenda to make sure that we proceed with the implementation of the European Agenda on Migration. Irregular migration is the direct result of the uncertainty and turmoil in the region. Tackling this problem in an efficient and effective manner requires a two-fold approach. First and foremost, we need to identify and address the root causes of migration while we must also do our utmost to prevent the loss of life crossing the desert and out at sea, and destroy the network of human smugglers who are capitalising on human misery and despair.

Over the past year, we have also seen a worrying increase in terrorist attacks around Europe that are having a devastating effect on our citizens, our countries and our quality of life. Regrettably, but perhaps unsurprisingly, EU citizens are increasingly linking terrorism to irregular migration, leading

to the rise of populist movements whose message is riddled with intolerance and distorted facts. In addressing the situation, we must remember that we are responsible for the security of our citizens, but we also have a moral duty to save lives and give shelter to those who are fleeing from war and persecution.

Currently, counterterrorism is at the forefront of the European agenda, both externally and internally. The horrific attacks over the last 12 months show us that we must remain vigilant. Our first line of action remains effective diplomacy. A comprehensive response on counter-terrorism must be formulated not only from an internal security perspective but also within the CFSP. Malta welcomes the integrated approach that is being put forward as this will enhance the effectiveness of EU policy and ensure consistency. A fast-track process to further developing and implementing counter-terrorism Action Plans with third countries is also very much needed.

The picture I just presented you with may give the impression that the only choice we have is between doom and gloom. I assure you that it is not my intention to come across as overly pessimistic. While I am deeply concerned by the current state of affairs in the neighbourhood, I nevertheless remain hopeful for a bright and prosperous future.

Over the past years, we have had several occasions to realise that seemingly unsurmountable challenges can pave the way to new opportunities and avenues of cooperation. Our values and principles are what make the EU so attractive to our partners, and we must safeguard these principles at all times. Solidarity and cooperation help us achieve goals that are impossible for us to reach individually. Nevertheless, we must also remember that solutions will not just appear magically before us while we idly wait. Solutions are the result of working persistently and with the right determination to turn our vision into reality.

Neither must we lock ourselves up in an ivory tower and act independently of external factors. Recent events have also shown that the EU’s security is interlinked with stability in the neighbourhood, and that stability within its borders cannot be attained without the EU investing in security cooperation with its partners.

The CSDP is an essential item in our toolbox and we must make sure that the resources at our disposal are being utilised in the most effective and efficient manner. CSDP should also continue to be pursued, ensuring cooperation between the Member States. EU CSDP missions and operations should promote and safeguard our values, while contributing towards security and stability. EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia is the perfect illustration of this, as it seeks to prevent the loss of human lives, while it also aims at limiting irregular migration and the wicked effectiveness of human smugglers and traffickers.

Malta also highlights the fundamental role of the UN. While we recognise the importance of NATO in guaranteeing European Security, we also believe that the UN has a fundamental role to play in peacekeeping and peacebuilding and must therefore remain our partner of choice.

Despite all the challenges and hurdles, I also like to think about 2016 as a year of new opportunities. The EU Global Strategy presented by High Representative Mogherini last June represents our common ambitions and goals, and a clear message that the EU intends to retain its position as an important global player. As Member States, we have all come together to contribute towards this process and identify the major challenges we are currently facing. The result is a comprehensive document that identifies the main challenges in a clear and focused manner and provides us with parameters on which to base our Foreign Policy. It is now up to us to make sure that we move on with its implementation and translate words into action.

Having an ambitious EU should also mean giving due importance to diplomacy, dialogue and confidence-building measures. I say this because I am genuinely convinced that diplomacy and dialogue pay dividends in the long term. While it may be tempting to put diplomatic efforts on the 4

backburner, especially during turbulent times, they nonetheless remain an important track that must be kept alive and pursued assiduously. Diplomacy is a slow and continuous process, but it achieves lasting results and is an essential tool in conflict-prevention. This is by no means an easy task, but the EU and its Member States have an impressive diplomatic network with immense experience that can provide us with invaluable intelligence if used to its full potential.

I also strongly believe in the role of regional and international organisations in enhancing regional cooperation and complementing the bilateral relations that exist between the EU Member States and neighbourhood countries. The further consolidation of our policies towards both the south and the east has a fundamental role to play in helping us build a secure, peaceful and stable neighbourhood. We must also find ways to maximise the potential of other tools that we have at our disposal and that may have not yet reached their full potential. I have in mind organisations like OSCE, 5+5, UfM, CofE, Med 7 and the Anna Lindh Foundation. The EC-LAS Liaison Office located in Malta should serve as an important link with the Arab World and by strengthening it, we will also be signalling our commitment.

Malta is always keen to propose new and innovative ways of engaging with our neighbours.

It is in this spirit that we will be organising an event that brings together EU Foreign Ministers, with their counterparts from the Southern Partners and GCC countries in April 2017. We believe that the time is ripe for us to strengthen our relationship and move towards more frequent open dialogue, often with our immediate neighbours and with our neighbours’ neighbours. During their event, it is our intention to provide an ideal forum for a constructive discussion on issues such as culture, education, youth and interfaith dialogue in a more intimate and relaxed environment. These issues may be perceived as soft ones when compared to other challenges we have to face in this day and age. Nevertheless, the impact they have on the daily lives of our citizens cannot be underestimated. It is our conviction that by tackling them, we will be laying down strong foundations to also improve the bigger picture and help defuse regional tensions that are leading to palpable insecurity and causing distress to our citizens.

I thank you for your attention and wish you a thought-provoking and fruitful discussion.