President George Vella, accompanied by the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg, received the Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, on a courtesy call at Sant’Anton Palace.
At the outset, President Vella congratulated Foreign Minister Rau on the official opening of the Polish Embassy in Malta, which took place during the course of the day. This further landmark in bilateral relations is a catalyst for further strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries, promoting mutual understanding, and fostering cooperation in fields of shared interest.
The discussion centred mainly on the Russian war on Ukraine, and on the impact that this is having on global stability and its disruption of a rules-based world order. President Vella reiterated Malta’s position that its neutrality has not stood in the way of a categorical and outright condemnation of the Russian aggression. The two interlocutors agreed that developments in the Mediterranean and Africa deserve due attention as they are intrinsically linked to the EU’s stability. Discussions on the issue of migration are also necessary.
President Vella recalled his two visits to Poland since taking office, the first in 2019 and a second in 2020, during which he had the opportunity to attend significant commemorations and events that place Poland at the heart of European and global developments. The President also referred to the visit to Malta by President Andrzej Duda to attend the Informal EU Non-Executive Heads of State Meeting that was hosted by President Vella in October 2022.
Photos (OPR)
