OPR- Fiday, 19th January, 2007

Your Excellency, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,

Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Excellencies,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

I welcome you to The Palace at the start of 2007.  I offer you my good wishes, and those of the People of Malta, of peace and joy for all of you and your beloved families, and of peace and prosperity for the countries you represent.  A warm welcome to old friends and a special welcome to those accredited to Malta in the past year. 

I thank you, Mgr. Del Blanco Prieto, for the kind words you have expressed as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to my country.  I ask you to convey to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI my warm regards and greetings of the Maltese people.  To all Ambassadors, I ask you to convey my greetings to your Heads of State. 

Excellencies,

Today I wish to recall what Malta stands for on the international stage – an island State strategically placed on the cultural frontier between Europe and North Africa.  My country’s vision is that of a world in which everyone can live in peace and security, a world in which human rights are respected and conflicts resolved through dialogue. 

Malta seeks to convey a message of peace and cooperation.  Malta is no island (except, as already mentioned, in the most literal of senses).  In a globalised world, our country is directly affected by the challenges facing humanity – economic crisis, environmental hazards, natural calamities, wars or armed conflicts, wherever they occur.  We do not ignore what is going on around us but rather seek to engage ourselves in the collective quest for a higher common good. 

Excellencies,

As you know, Malta has been working to make a success of European Union membership and to contribute towards the construction of a European Union which gives added value to its member States and its citizens.  The strength of our Union is derived from the common values – mainly democracy, human rights and a market economy – and common hopes and aspirations for the future, that we share. 

I take this opportunity to bid welcome to Bulgaria and Romania, newly arrived to the European Union. 

The founding fathers of what is today the European Union had a vision – that of uniting Europe that in future peace may prevail and Europe may be spared the ravages of war within its own continent.  Their building blocks were economic, but their goals political.  This vision remains of the utmost importance, for it is this vision that will increasingly win over the hearts and minds of its citizens.  It is my firm belief that further progress towards the vision of a united Europe can be made if it enjoys significant popular support.  Europe is a continent with a long history of competing Nation-States, and for this reason, it can only be successfully united if public opinion is prepared by means of a democratic debate and only if the decision-makers, thanks to such a public discussion, know how far they can go, and at what pace.  In my opinion the Constitutional Treaty project should remain a priority of the European Union. 

Excellencies,

Malta defines its foreign policy on the basis of its geopolitical realities.  The cultural, political and religious diversity in the Mediterranean is an important asset in shaping the future.  It opens up ways for exchange and cooperation in the region and beyond.  Malta seeks to actively play its part in furthering dialogue, peace, stability and prosperity in the region, including the Middle East. 

With deep apprehension I think, at the dawn of this new year, of the Middle East, and express my hope that a just and lasting peace may be achieved, with respect for the fundamental human rights of the peoples living there.  Respect for human rights and for international law is an indispensable foundation without which lasting peace agreements are not possible. 

Armed conflicts always lead directly to human suffering, displaced people and severe economic consequences for the countries directly affected.  The turbulent history of the Middle East has until today been a history of dashed hopes and unfulfilled dreams.  The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved and continues to cause enormous suffering and pain to the civilian population on both sides. 

Sadly, a realization of the need to take a chance on peace often comes against a background of death, devastation and great suffering.  The recent flaring out of violence between Lebanon and Israel caused many victims, destruction and uncertainty.  My hope is that such realization may come to the leaders and People of those countries, that hostility may be eradicated and relationships built anew. 

The expected reconstruction of Iraq, at the political, economic and social levels, is a complex task riddled with uncertainties, resistance and increased violence.  As we all know, the situation is so difficult that at times even delivering humanitarian aid is a problem.  We must hope that the responsible authorities in the region will take the necessary decisions early enough to be able to reverse the current trend and also to enable the international community to take an active part in reconstruction. 

We have to do everything within our powers to allow war-torn societies to achieve peace and stability, to put themselves together again and, especially, to give their young generations a future to look forward to.

Excellencies,

I am glad to observe the encouraging developments that took place in the course of the past year in the field of international justice: a former leader accused of involvement in war crimes is facing trial in The Hague before a special war crimes court.  There is also an emerging first case before the International Criminal Court that points to specific individuals who appear to bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur.  I add my voice to that of many others in denunciating violence and the commission of crimes as a way to achieve one’s aims and in calling for justice for victims. 

I pray to God that in Darfur and throughout Africa there will be consolation in the face of the desperation of those facing famine and the ravages of endemic conflict, corruption, disease and poverty, and that the steps being made towards reconciliation, democracy and development will be consolidated. 

Excellencies,

The problems we are facing – poverty, environmental disasters, terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction – are all potential causes of conflicts and violence.  I believe that the best way for us to be spared of conflicts and violence is to engage ourselves for their avoidance and to strive to make our efforts complementary.  After all, the true interests of mankind, such as security and welfare, are basically the same for all. 

An issue of priority on Malta’s agenda is the phenomenon of irregular immigration.  Sadly, the Mediterranean Sea has become witness to a human tragedy, as thousands have lost their lives while fleeing from their countries in their attempted journey from Northern African shores, across the Mediterranean and towards Europe.  It is clear that the complex issue of migration cannot be solved by means of purely national, intra-state defensive mechanisms.  There is need for a concerted effort to reduce the pressure to emigrate by seeking to achieve the stabilisation of the political, social and economic situation in the countries of origin. 

The end of the Cold War and the emergence of the phenomenon of international terrorism opened a new chapter in the world’s history book.  Combating terrorism is now a major priority of the United Nations and a permanent fixture of the international agenda.  This is understandably so, since the threat and attacks of terrorism have truly cast a shadow over our world, rendering us ever more fearful and insecure. 

In his Message for the World Day of Peace, Pope Benedict XVI spoke thus: “In analyzing the causes of the contemporary phenomenon of terrorism, consideration should be given, not only to its political and social causes, but also to its deeper cultural, religious and ideological motivations.”  It is indeed disturbing to think that those same religions conceived of to celebrate man and life and serve the cause of peace, may be manipulated or distorted to take on a form of fanaticism which inspires and encourages terrorist thinking and activity.  The great challenge is to follow the path of peace with courage and patience.  May we communicate our truth, not by attempting to impose it, but by proposing what others may then freely accept, and may we also be receptive towards that which others communicate and understanding of their perspective.  Only thus may we free the world from fomented hatred and increased causes of tension. 

Although each country has its own particular interests, the objective of ensuring that this planet has a sustainable future is one we can all share.  The concept of sustainable development, the marriage of economic and social development with environmental protection, was born in Rio in 1992.  We have made considerable progress since then.  Let us hope that our ideas for solutions to approach our goal will be converted into actions and translated into results, for the sake of our planet’s well-being and survival. 

In our globalised, highly interconnected and interdependent world, even problems that seem far away may have direct repercussions on us.  This is why aid effort also has a totally practical aspect apart from its moral and philosophical ones.  Europe and the other developed nations of the world need to ensure that globalization also has a social face, or we will end in a bad way.  Let us work together to build a new world order based on just ethical and economic relationships. 

Excellencies,

Another year has gone by with the complexities and sometimes unexpected, sometimes predictable, turns of events that characterize our modern world.  Allow me to express my appreciation to you, distinguished Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps, for the mission you carry out in bridging those divides created by humanity, history and geography.  Your commitment to bringing peoples and governments together in the desire to cooperate harmoniously is commendable.