Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome you in this Presidential Palace - a Palace which, dating back to the 16th century, has witnessed the significant changes taking place on our island throughout the years. I am pleased that once again I have the opportunity to greet you at the start of a New Year, this time in my capacity as President of Malta.

Apostolic Nunzio,

I thank you for the kind words you have expressed as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to my country.  May I, in turn, express to you and to all of the Diplomatic Corps my very best wishes for 2005.  I also ask you to convey to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, whom I had the honour and pleasure of meeting once again last year, my warm regards and the greetings of the Maltese People.

Excellencies,

The past year was an eventful one, both on the local and on the international scene.  For Malta, the year 2004 was a momentous culmination of past and recent achievements: we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Independence, the 30th anniversary as a Republic and the accession to the European Union on May 1st.

Membership in the European Union was, beyond any doubt, a major political achievement for Malta, the fruitful result of hard work and efforts.  For us, as no doubt for the other new EU members, membership of the Union offers a challenge as much as a promise. It has provided us with a model and a vehicle for the continuing promotion of our economic and social development.  We understand this in a realistic manner and with our feet firmly on the ground we realise that while membership opened up vast opportunities, it remains our direct responsibility, at both individual and national levels, to take the action which fully exploits these opportunities.

Monnet, Schumann and the other early founders of the European Union had dreamed of a society that would overcome the scourges of the two World Wars. They had foreseen that such a development should encompass all Europe, Eastern and Western. Today, it is apt to say that their vision has become a reality. Indeed, the 1st of May 2004 marked an exceptional and historical moment for Malta and Europe – Malta is indeed proud to be part of this new and united Europe, which will stand for peace, economic and social progress, political stability and solidarity. This enlargement symbolized the unification of the European continent and the resulting thawing of the East-West confrontation. It marked the beginning of a new era, as all parties of this maison commune deliberately chose to part from the effects of past rivalry and wars, and embark upon a new era of co-operation, for the achievement of common goals and aspirations. We can now truly speak of a united Europe, a Europe built on a set of shared values, common interests, shared principles of democracy and the rule of law, and the respect for human rights.

Excellencies,

Our geographic position reminds us continuously that we are also part of the Mediterranean. As a European country, located at the very centre of the Mediterranean, Malta is uniquely placed to provide a valid and meaningful contribution to the positive development of relations between the European and Mediterranean Regions. 

Thus, Malta’s fundamental vocation, as expressed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, during his last visit to Malta, is to be:

“…. Builders of bridges between the peoples of the Mediterranean basin, between Africa and Europe”

The French historian, Ferdinand Braudel, once referred to the Mediterranean as thousand things in one; and rightly so. The Mediterranean region is a region that embraces a multitude of challenges. On the one hand, unfortunately it is home to a number of conflicts that plague our aspirations of peace and stability, whilst on the other hand it is mother to a rich mosaic of culture and knowledge.

The Mediterranean is also an ancient cradle of civilization – one that embraces diversity – a diversity of cultures, identities and religions.  From this diversity the Mediterranean can draw its strength.

The Mediterranean region is above all, a region of contradictions – a basin that is also characterised by disparities, which range from the economic, demographic and social fields.  There remains the age-old issue of immigration and the struggle for control of natural resources. 

The Mediterranean has always featured prominently in Malta’s foreign policy objectives. Malta has always advocated that security in Europe and in the Mediterranean are intrinsically linked. Malta, as part of the European Union, is now better placed to use its good offices to promote dialogue and to try to bridge the divides that exist to create an area of peace and stability. Our North African neighbours can rest assured that they have gained a trusted friend within the European Union.

The year 2005 marks the 10th Anniversary since the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Process - an opportunity that should serve to strengthen and re-launch the Process.  Today, enhanced by the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Process remains the main tool for partnership, co-operation and dialogue with the Mediterranean Region and should serve as a catalyst in securing modernisation and reform. 

We constantly hear about the phenomenon of boat-people and the misfortunes they sometimes encounter. As a result, the Mediterranean Sea is fast becoming a graveyard for many. In the short term, there is a great need for technical support and assistance to those countries that meet their obligations under international conventions, but do not have the means to adequately manage this movement of people. In the longer term, we need to look for measures that can identify the causes in order to be able to control this irregular movement at source.

The situation in the Middle East and in Iraq continues to impinge negatively on the Mediterranean Region. It is necessary for both Israel and Palestinians to return to the peace process outlined in the Roadmap for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and a successful creation of a democratic and independent Palestinian State, living side by side in security and in peace with Israel. In this regard, Malta calls on Israel and the Palestinians to refrain from all forms of violence and urges them to accelerate the implementation of the Roadmap and re-launch a meaningful political process. Malta welcomes the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and from part of the northern West Bank as a first step in the overall Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories. Malta also recalls that a comprehensive peace in the region must also include Lebanon and Syria.

Earlier I mentioned that one of the European Union’s major achievements was that of establishing peace in the European Continent. In this respect, both Israel and Palestine should look at the European countries as a model and increase their efforts to establish an ever lasting peace within their region.

Excellencies,

I need to hardly stress the role of the United Nations and observance of its resolutions in settling international issues. The United Nations needs to be given the leading role in the reconstruction of Iraq. Malta supports a stable and a unified Iraq. Malta, along with its EU partners, supports the efforts of the Interim Iraqi Government and expresses its hope that the forthcoming democratic parliamentary elections would lead to political stability essential to the country’s reconstruction and well-being of the population.

Excellencies,

Unfortunately the past year was again dominated by the phenomenon of international terrorism. We all witnessed an increase in bloodshed of the victims of terrorism. Terrorism in all its forms including hostage taking or suicide bombs is a destabilising threat for us all. We all recall the tragic Madrid attacks of 11th March last year and the more recent massacre in North Ossetia that have clearly shown that terrorism knows no boundaries or targets. Terrorism is an affront to humanity and the values and principles we all hold dear.

I am convinced that conflicts and differences cannot be resolved through war or acts of terror, but only through dialogue and diplomacy. You, as diplomats, play a decisive role in the initiation of dialogue and the preservation of peace.  It is only through the co-operation and collaboration of all States that this evil of our times can be defeated.

Excellencies,

Sadly, the end of 2004 shall be remembered for the catastrophic disaster that hit a number of South East Asian and East African States bordering the Indian Ocean. This tragedy has claimed the lives of over a hundred and forty thousand people and has left in its wake devastation and shattered economies that would take a number of years to recover. Once again, the International Community has risen to the occasion with an immediate response of aid and solidarity towards the countries mostly hit and their people. In such a sad moment I am proud to say that even Malta and its People, although lacking in resources but with a rich reserve of love and deep sense of concern for those afflicted, have contributed generously to help alleviate the sufferings of those that survived the disaster.

 Allow me to convey, through the presence today, of some of the Ambassadors of the countries affected, my sincere expressions of condolences and solidarity together with those of the People of Malta.  On the other hand, I am confident that the spirit of perseverance and the strong character of these Peoples shall prevail over the sufferings and over the destruction caused by what has been described as the worst cataclysm of the modern era. 

Excellencies,

This year will also be important for Malta. In November 2005 Malta will be hosting the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), bringing together more than 50 Heads of States. During this meeting, the theme about the digital divide and the access to information technology will be discussed. Hopefully, this meeting will help to reduce the digital divide that exists between the Commonwealth countries through a concrete Action Programme agreed by the Governments themselves and hence will contribute to bridge the gap between the developed and less developed countries of the Commonwealth.

Excellencies,

Factors of instability have increased. Tension and military force have, in many cases, replaced dialogue and negotiation. We need to continually strive for international co-operation and solidarity in our search for effective responses.  We need to strive to secure a future on dialogue and understanding based on the principles we believe in as members of the United Nations. I sincerely hope that these values will prevail on the international scene in this New Year that has just begun.

I wish to ask you to convey my personal best wishes to your Heads of States and Governments. To each and every one of you, I extend my warmest wishes, for peace and prosperity.