It is my pleasure to welcome you here today and to extend my best wishes for this New Year.
This is my first opportunity to address you all collectively since my appointment as President of Malta, and I deeply appreciate your joining us today.
I would like to begin by commending each and every one of you, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, both resident and non-resident, as official representatives of your respective nations, on your efforts to foster understanding, to build bridges, and to address the shared challenges of our time.
I value the high level of engagement you have demonstrated over the past year, particularly in navigating the complex geopolitical challenges we are all experiencing. Your contributions underscore the relevance of our ongoing cooperation.
I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the current state of international affairs, and to highlight the key role of diplomacy in fostering dialogue and resolving conflict.
Malta remains deeply preoccupied with the situation in the Middle East. Escalating tensions in the region not only pose a significant threat to international peace and security but are also responsible for the infringement of human rights and atrocities which, on a daily basis, are being inflicted on civilians.
We shall persist in calling for an immediate ceasefire, for all hostages to be released and for humanitarian access to reach conflict zones.
In Ukraine, it is essential to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, grounded in the core principles of the United Nations Charter and in respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Unity among all EU Member States and strengthened cooperation with global partners will be critical to sustain support for Ukraine and to prevent further escalation.
I mention these specific conflicts as they are the closest to our shores, remaining mindful of the many other conflicts which are the cause of so much human suffering each day.
Last year, Malta celebrated several important milestones: 60 years of Independence, 50 years as a Republic, 45 years from the cessation of its function as a military base, and 20 years as a full member of the European Union. These milestones in Malta’s own journey are inextricable from Malta’s international mission founded on the active pursuit of peace and social progress among all nations.
The importance that Malta gives to this objective owes a lot to our geographical position at the crossroads of civilizations, which has endowed us with a unique perspective: one that values dialogue, cherishes diversity, and seeks solutions through consensus.
This is enshrined in our own Constitution, where the declaration of our neutrality does not impede us from being active members of international society, or from working towards peace, security, and social justice.
Rather, this neutrality is a strong declaration that Malta shall in no way be a threat to the sovereignty and security of any other nation, a doctrine which was tangibly manifested when Malta ceased being a military base in 1979.
We have striven to concretize these principles through our efforts in the international sphere, bilaterally and multilaterally, within our region and beyond.
In this, we continue to draw inspiration from Arvid Pardo, Maltese Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who in 1967 advocated before the UN General Assembly for the recognition of the seas as the common heritage of mankind.
Malta furthered this vision in 1988, when it proposed a Resolution which brought to the fore the problem of climate change.
During Malta’s most recent term on the United Nations Security Council, which came to an end in December 2024, Malta was actively engaged in key discussions, contributing to important resolutions.
We supported sanctions against Russia’s senseless attack on Ukraine and headed Resolution 2712 for the establishment of extended humanitarian pauses and corridors with regards to the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Malta also contributed to negotiations on climate security, humanitarian relief, and the inclusion of women in peace processes.
The entrusting of Malta with the Chairpersonship-In-Office of the OSCE by consensus last year attested to international trust in Malta’s credentials. I believe that this trust was well-placed and justified by key decisions on the future of the OSCE which Malta managed to secure during and after last December’s Ministerial Council, where Malta’s role as a proactive promoter of international peace was clearly demonstrated.
During this 31st Ministerial Council, Malta pushed for the adoption of key institutional decisions aimed at strengthening the Organization’s capacity to respond to and address pressing threats and to adapt to an increasingly complex security environment.
Malta was also successful in securing the approval of OSCE participating states for the appointment of the four senior officials to lead the OSCE’s Secretariat and institutions for the years to come.
Malta will be taking up the mantle of the Presidency of the Council of Europe from May to November of this current year. Malta’s Presidency will focus on four priorities, namely:
- empowering young people in democratic life,
- the protection of children,
- combating violence and discrimination, and
- safeguarding the European Convention on Human Rights.
In this new year, we will continue with our aim of advancing collective interests. We will collaborate with you, esteemed Ambassadors and High Commissioners, and with representatives from your nations, to strengthen the international rule of law, promote economic development, and safeguard the rights of vulnerable populations.
Excellencies,
Working towards peace, security, prosperity, and stability is not something that any one nation can do alone. On the contrary, these objectives require the concerted efforts of all actors, each playing a vital role in their realisation.
More than ever, I believe that we are at a juncture which merits a reconsideration of our interdependence. Let us acknowledge that this interdependence is a key to the shared commitment of international peace and security.
We must be vigilant and curb the rising waves of excessive nationalism and the ugly head of imperialist ambitions if current and future generations are to enjoy the tranquility and security of enduring peace.
Malta is deeply grateful for the partnerships we have forged with your nations. These are partnerships which have to be invigorated with renewed zeal, from year to year.
It is only through diplomatic collaboration that we can address the root causes of conflict and build a more inclusive and equitable world.
While distance may separate us geographically, a commitment to bridging cultures, advancing mutual interests, and facilitating dialogue brings us closer to each other.
I recognize and commend the input of our Ministry for Foreign Affairs in recent years, and the work of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Ian Borg. Under his guidance, Malta has made significant strides in affirming its international mission as a promoter of peace and security amongst nations.
I would like to convey once more my heartfelt thanks for the cooperation extended to Malta by your good selves on behalf of your governments. I encourage you to continue to work with us to find ways of deepening our bilateral diplomatic relations, to seek new opportunities for enhancing trade and commerce, and to nurture people-to-people relations.
Your esteemed and continuous support will be indispensable as we continue working to contribute to the common good of humankind.
