Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George

W. Vella was in Paris in February to par-

ticipate in a meeting of the Med 7

group that apart from Malta is com-

posed of France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus,

Spain and Portugal. The Meeting was

convened to discuss unfolding develop-

ments in the region, in particular the

crises in Libya and Syria as well other

pressing priorities concerning youth

employment, migration in the Mediter-

ranean as well as environmental chal-

lenges in the regions.

The EU’s High Representative and Vice

President of the Commission Federica

Mogherini was also present for the

talks.

Minister Vella thanked his French coun-

terpart for convening the meeting at a

time when the tension in the region is

escalating to very worrying levels. The

fact that the Ministers were meeting in

Paris, in the aftermath of the January at-

tacks is also very significant in itself, Min-

ister Vella said.

In addressing the Meeting, Minister Vella

elaborated on the situation in Libya,

which he described as an increasing

growth threat to security and stability in

Europe. He welcomed the fact that the

matter was brought to the UN Security

Council following a further deterioration

of events during the week and reiterated

Malta’s support to the reconciliation ef-

MED 7 MEETING IN PARIS DISCUSSES CRISES IN LIBYA AND SYRIA AND

MIGRATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

February Review:

DIGITAL DIPLOMACY DAY

MINISTER VELLA ATTENDS

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL

MINISTER VELLA MEETS

SMOM IN ROME

MINISTER VELLA MEETS

ITALIAN COUNTERPART GENTI-

LONI

MINISTER VELLA ATTENDS

MED 7 PARIS MEETING

TALKS WITH RT. HON. PHILIP

HAMMOND

VISIT BY RT. HON. PHILIP

HAMMOND

2

FAC DISCUSSIONS ON

LIBYA

3

MINISTER VELLA MEETS

ITALIAN COUNTERPART

4

MEETING WITH SMOM 5

DIGITAL DIPLOMACY DAY 6

INTERVIEW BY COMMER-

CIAL COURIER

10

PEOPLE 11

Contents:

February 2015 Issue 6

Il-Pont

The Bridge

“The evident rise of

extremist and terror-

ist entities in Libya is

a very alarming fac-

tor that needs to be

addressed”

forts being made by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr Ber-

nardino Leon.

Minister Vella stated that the evident rise of extremist and terrorist entities in Libya is

a very alarming factor that needs to be addressed. He also highlighted the impor-

tance of keeping the migration issue firmly in sight and called for EU solidarity in this

respect adding that prevailing instability in Libya will result in increased influxes of

migrants in the coming months.

As a response to growing inter-cultural and inter-faith tensions in the Mediterranean

region and beyond, Minister Vella stated that Malta actively supports deeper engage-

ment with important regional partners such as the League of Arab States and the Gulf

Cooperation Council. Every opportunity and existing mechanism should be availed of

to spread a culture of tolerance in Europe’s neighbourhood.

(cont from Page 1) - Med 7 meeting in Paris

Page 2

I l -Pont

The Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was in Malta in

February and held official talks with Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat, who was accompanied by the Deputy Prime

Minister and Minister for European Affairs and the Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto, Mr. Louis Grech and

the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. George W. Vella.

Following the meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary Hammond held further talks with

Foreign Minister Dr George W. Vella at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. They discussed the excellent bilateral

relations that Malta and the United Kingdom enjoyed on the political level and in the areas of health, education,

trade and investment amongst others. Dr

George Vella informed the Rt. Hon. Hammond

about the preparations for the Commonwealth

Heads of Government Meeting that will be held

in Malta in November 2015.

Minister Vella and the Rt. Hon. Hammond

discussed at length current affairs, namely the

unrest in Ukraine, the troubling situation in

Libya and illegal immigration in the

Mediterranean. They agreed that in times like

this, EU Member States have to continue

working closely together to identify solutions

and ways forward that bring peace and stability

in the EUs immediate neighbourhood.

VISIT TO MALTA BY THE RT. HON. PHILIP HAMMOND, UK SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella, participated in the Foreign Affairs

Council in Brussels, where Ministers discussed the situation in Libya, the recent de-

velopments in Yemen, and terrorism. Ministers were also debriefed on the latest

efforts by Germany and France to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine and the possible

convening of a quadripartite summit on Wednesday 11th February in Minsk. Minis-

ters also formally approved additional listings of individuals and entities to be sub-

ject to EU restrictive measures, while reiterating the importance of maintaining a

united EU policy on sanctions. The Council also took note of the Joint Communica-

tion to the European Parliament and Council entitled "Elements for an EU regional

strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat", published by the European

Commission and European External Action Service on 6 February. This is the first EU

comprehensive strategy on tackling the crises in Syria and Iraq and the threat posed

by ISIL/Da'ish.

Minister Vella called for increased support for the latest efforts of Bernardino Leon,

United Nations Secretary General Special Representative as he prepares for next

round of talks in Libya, especially by way of increasing EU outreach to all relevant

Libyan parties, neighbouring countries and regional actors. Minister Vella referred

to the ongoing process as the last chance to bring the transition of Libya back on

track and ensure that it does not become a failed state. He also referred to the re-

cent attack on the Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli which is a proof that the ongoing insta-

bility is providing fertile ground for extremist groups and urged the EU to com-

mence a counter-terrorism dialogue with Libya's neighbours. Minister Vella warned

that the disintegration of Libya will have huge repercussions for the immediate re-

gion and will represent a threat to the whole of the EU.

Ministers expressed grave concern about the latest developments in Yemen, calling

on all political forces to take clear responsibility for their actions and the immediate

release of the President, Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet. Ministers re-

called that only a broad political consensus amongst the main political groups, set-

ting a clear path towards a Constitutional referendum and elections, can provide a

sustainable solution to the current crisis.

Ministers called for comprehensive action against terrorism in line with the 2005 EU

Strategy and decided to step up its external action on countering terrorism, com-

plementing actions taken in the context of justice and home affairs by external en-

gagement and outreach, especially to countries in the Middle East, North Africa, the

Sahel and the Gulf.. The Council agreed to review progress in implementation at its

next meetings, also in view of the upcoming European Council.

Minister Vella also attended a meeting of the Group of the Friends of Lebanon,

which preceded the Foreign Affairs Council. The discussion with Gebran Bassil, the

Foreign Minister of Lebanon, largely focused on the challenges being faced due to

the Syrian crisis as well as the support being provided by the EU to the host com-

munities and in the field of counter-terrorism, as well as the importance of pursuing

political and economic reforms.

FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS ONGOING DEVELOPMENTS IN LIBYA AND EU

SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CRISIS

Page 3

Issue 6

“Minister Vella

warned that the

disintegration of

Libya will have

huge repercussions

for the immediate

region and will

represent a threat

to the whole of the

EU”.

“Minister Vella

called for in-

creased sup-

port for the

latest efforts of

Bernardino

Leon, United

Nations Secre-

tary General

Special Repre-

sentative as he

prepares for

next round of

talks in Libya.”

In February Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella, had a meeting with his

Italian counterpart, Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Rome. The ministers discussed the

recent developments in Libya and the different scenarios that could develop in the

prevailing circumstances. The phenomenon of the spread of ISIS jihadists as well as

the issue of migration featured high on the list of topics discussed. Both ministers

agreed that the situation needed constant monitoring and expressed the hope that

the efforts of the UN special envoy Bernardino Leon would lead to all relevant fac-

tions in Libya coming together to achieve continual peace stability and security under

the leadership of a national unity government.

The ministers also expressed

the hope that the ongoing

discussions at the UN Secu-

rity Council would succeed

to sensitise world opinion

on the situation in Libya.

Ministers Vella and Gentiloni

agreed to keep constant

contact and strive together

to raise more awareness of

the Libyan problem within

the European Union.

The message being that be-

sides the problem of Ukraine

the EU has also an equally serious problem to tackle which is Libya.

DEVELOPMENTS IN LIBYA DISCUSSED BETWEEN MINISTER

GEORGE W. VELLA AND MINISTER PAOLO GENTILONI

Page 4

I l -Pont

Both ministers agreed

that the situation

needed constant

monitoring and

expressed the hope

that the efforts of the

UN special envoy

Bernardino Leon

would lead to all

relevant factions in

Libya coming

together to achieve

continual peace

stability and security

under the leadership

of a national unity

government.

“The message being

that besides the

problem of Ukraine

the EU has also an

equally serious prob-

lem to tackle which

is Libya”.

Meta fi Frar kien fuq żjara f'Ruma, l-Ministru għall-Affarijiet Barranin, Dr George W. Vella, kellu

laqgħa uffiċjali mal-ogħla awtoritajiet tal-Ordni Militari Sovrana ta’ San Gwann, ta' Ġerusalem,

ta' Rodi u ta' Malta, mmexxija mill-Gran Kanċillier Albrecht von Boesslager. Il-laqgħa saret fil-

kwartieri tal-Ordni f’Aventino.

Matul il-laqgħa ġew diskussi r-relazzjonijiet bejn Malta u l-Ordni. Fost il-punti prinċipali ġew

diskussi ż-żjara statali li se jagħmel il-Gran Mastru f'Malta f’April u l-kommemorazzjoni ta’ żewġ

avvenimenti tar-rabta bejn l-Ordni u Malta, l-miġja tal-Kavalieri u l- kommemorazzjoni tal-

Assedju l-Kbir. L-iktar punt importanti tad-diskussjoni kien dwar il-Ftehim ta' Koperazzjoni li

jrid jiġi milħuq bejn l-Ordni u l-Gvern Malti dwar it-tmexxija tal-Forti Sant Anġlu. Il-Ministru

Vella saħaq li l-Gvern Malti jixtieq jara l-Forti Sant'Anġlu kif inhu issa restawrat, jiġi wżat iktar

għal skop turistiku, kulturali u anke bħala post ta’ esibizzjonjiet u kungressi, speċjalment relatati

mal-istorja tal-Ordni ta' San Gwann.

Waqt id-disskussjoniet ġiet espressa wkoll ix-xewqa li l-Ordni tinvolvi ruħha aktar fil-qasam

umanitarju b'mod speċjali fejn jidħlu l-immigranti rregolari. Id-diskussjonijiet kienu kordjali

ħafna u kien hemm il-qbil li delegazzjoni min-naħa tal-Ordni fil-futur qrib iżżur Malta ħalli jiġu

finalizzati d-dettalji u wkoll biex jippreparaw għaż-żjara statali tal-Gran Mastru. Il-Ministru għall

-Affarijiet Barranin, filwaqt li rringrazzja lill-Gran Kanċillier għall-mod pożittiv li bih laqa’ s-

suġġerimenti tan-naħa tal-Gvern Malti, wiegħed l-appoġġ tal-gvern għat-tisħiħ tar-

relazzjonijiet bejn l-Ordni u Malta, filwaqt li wera x-xewqa li l-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann tkun iktar

viżibli f’pajjiżna permezz ta’ attivitajiet li mistennija torganizza.

Il-Gran Kancillier von Boesslager kien megħjun fid-diskussjoni mill-Ambaxxatur Umberto di

Capua u mill-Balliju Fra John Critien, li kien qiegħed Ruma għall-okkażjoni. Il-Ministru Vella

kien akkumpanjat mill-Ambaxxatur il-Prof Buttigieg, rapprezentanti tal-Ministeru għall-

Affarijiet Barranin u wkoll rappreżentat ta’ Heritage Malta.

IL-MINISTRU GEORGE W. VELLA F’LAQGĦA MAL-OGĦLA

AWTORITAJIET TAL-ORDNI MILITARI SOVRANA TA’ SAN GWANN,

ĠERUSALEM, RODI U MALTA

Page 5

I l -Pont

4 ta’ Frar 2015 : Żjara uffiċjali fil-Ġermanja mal-Prim Ministru għal taħdidiet mall-Kanċillier Ġermaniż Angela Merkel

Il-Ministru Vella

saħaq li l-Gvern

Malti jixtieq jara

l-Forti

Sant'Anġlu kif

inhu issa

restawrat, jiġi

wżat iktar għal

skop turistiku,

kulturali u anke

bħala post ta’

esibizzjonjiet u

kungressi,

speċjalment

relatati mal-

istorja tal-Ordni

ta' San Gwann.

“I am truly encouraged by the world-wide recognition over these years by the valuable and efficient role which

the DIPLO Foundation has been playing over these years. Its achievements in capacity-building in the field of

diplomacy are remarkable and highly commendable”, stated the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. George W. Vella

when delivering his keynote speech at the

opening of the Digital Diplomacy Day 2015 –

“Diplomacy between innovation and tradition”,

held at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Valletta

on the 2nd February.

Addressing those present, including the

participants who in the coming days and months

will be following the Masters/Post Graduate

Diploma course, Minister Vella spoke about the

uniqueness of the DIPLO course, as it brings

together traditional and modern methods of

human resource development. In this regard,

DIPLO has succeeded to use the modern medium of on-line information and communication technologies and

the expertise of active and retired diplomats and academics. “This critical combination has created a synergy of

real skill development, effective learning and knowledge in the

practice of diplomacy”, continued Dr. Vella.

Established 12 years ago as a joint undertaking between Malta

and Switzerland, DIPLO Foundation is a non-profit organisation

and its vocation is to assist all countries, particularly small States

and those with limited human resources, in representing and

promoting the interests of their own countries. More importantly,

such courses provide on-the-job training and in-situ training, an

innovative way which allows these countries to participate

meaningfully in multilateral fora and activities through the most effective use of ICT tools including Webinars.

DIPLO now counts over 290 alumni from these programmes, most of them diplomats, coming from all parts of

the globe. With more than 3000 alumni from 189 countries, DIPLO has managed to build along the years an

impressive infrastructure and methodology for online diplomatic

training, with no less than 500 diplomats and officials from nearly

all small island States worldwide who have participated in online

courses.

Minister Vella also said that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has

decided to inject a substantial increase in the funding for the

Foundation’s activities and Programmes for 2015.

The Digital Diplomacy Day is organized by the Ministry for Foreign

Affairs and DIPLO Foundation on the occasion of the start of the 2015 Master in Contemporary Diplomacy. The

Digital Diplomacy Day 2015

Page 6

I l -Pont

Foundation has received wide recognition for its work, including consultative status

with the United Nations, the World E-democracy award 2009 and the hosting of the

2010 annual meeting of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training.

The event was also addressed by Dr Jovan

Kurbalija, the founding director of DIPLO

Foundation and the Head of Geneva Internet

Platform, who gave a presentation on “Emerging

Digital Diplomacy”. Dr Kurbalija is a former

diplomat with a professional and academic

background in international law, diplomacy and

information technology. In 1992 he established the

Unit for IT and Diplomacy at the Mediterranean

Academy of Diplomatic studies in Malta, and after

10years of success the unit evolved into the DIPLO

Foundation. Dr. Kurbalija currently directs online

learning courses on ICT and diplomacy and lectures

in academic and training institutions in Switzerland,

the United States, Austria, Belgium, the United

Kingdom, the Netherlands and Malta.

Page 7

I l -Pont

”I am truly

encouraged by

the world-wide

recognition

over these

years by the

valuable and

efficient role

which the

DIPLO

Foundation

has been

playing over

these years. Its

achievements

in capacity-

building in the

field of

diplomacy are

remarkable

and highly

commendable”

- Minister Vella

Official visit of the President of the Republic of Malta to the Republic of Slovenia 24th February 2015

Page 8

I l -Pont

On the 6th of February Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr.

George W. Vella signed the Book of Condolences for

Former German President, Richard von Weizsaecker, at

the German Ambassador’s Residence, Ħal-Lija.

On the 15th February the Government of Malta strongly condemned the two deadly attacks that took place in

Copenhagen. In his reaction to the events, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella extended his

support to the Danish Government and underlined Malta's solidarity with the people of Denmark during the

difficult moments.

He stated that the nature of the attacks came as a further shocking development on European territory and

constituted a threat against all those who embrace freedom and tolerance.

Minister Vella reiterated that the Government of Malta categorically condemns all acts of terror irrespective of

who the perpetrators are. He added that the international community should look beyond these heinous acts and

continue to work towards closer inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue. This, he added, is the most effective

and unequivocal response that the global community could give to those behind the attacks.

On the 24th February the Ministry for Foreign Affairs stated that following a number of discussions between

Malta and the United Arab Emirates for a number of months, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is pleased to an-

nounce that the two countries have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding through which driving licences

held by citizens of the two countries will be recognised by the respective competent authorities.

This Memorandum of Understanding relates to holders who are in possession of a Category B driving licence,

equivalent to motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3500 kg and designed and con-

structed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

Furthermore, motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass

which does not exceed 750 kg. Moreover, the Memorandum stipulates that citizens of the two states shall be ex-

empted from taking theoretical and/or practical driving exams when applying for the national driving licence/

permit in the country of temporary residence.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is pleased to note that while this Memorandum of Understanding is yet to be

signed, the authorities of the United Arab Emirates have already activated this Memorandum with effect from 1

January 2015.

Also in February ...

Page 9

I l -Pont

2 ta’ Frar 2015: L-Ambaxxatur ta’ Franza u l-Ambaxxatur tar-Russja jippreżentaw il- Copie d’Usage lill-

Ministru għall-Affarijiet Barranin Dr. George W. Vella qabel ma ppreżentaw il-kredenzjali tagħhom lill-

President tar-Repubblika.

Page 10

I l -Pont

Fi Frar ...

Minister for

Foreign Affairs

interviewd by

Journalist

Sarah Micallef

for “The

Commerical

Courier”. Read

it here on

Pages 30-36:

Interview:

Minister for

Foreign Af-

fairs by The

Commercial

Courier Feb-

ruary/March

2015

EU MEDAL FOR MALTESE DIPLOMATIC OFFICER SECONDED TO MISSION

IN LIBYA

An officer of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been presented with the EU’s Com-

mon Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Service Medal for duties carried out with the

European Union Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM

Libya).

Mr. Anis Cassar, a diplomatic officer with the Minis-

try for Foreign Affairs, served on secondment with

EUBAM Libya for almost nine months in 2014. This

is the first time that a Maltese civilian (non-military

or police) has been presented with the CSDP Ser-

vice Medal. The secondment of Mr. Cassar with

EUBAM Libya had been made in order to demon-

strate Malta’s exceptionally strong commitment to

the country

EUBAM Libya is mandated with training Libyan bor-

der management agencies and personnel. The Mission has been fraught with chal-

lenges resulting from the deteriorating security environment in the country which

have impinged on its ability to effectively carry out its mandate and eventually led to

its temporary relocation to Tunis in August 2014, and a downsizing of its personnel.

Despite the challenges, Malta has consistently been a strong supporter of EUBAM

Libya from its very inception in recognition of the fact that Libya’s border security is a

necessary prerequisite to state-building, as well as security in the wider Mediterra-

nean region. Two officers from the Armed Forces of Malta remain deployed with the

Mission in Tunis, providing remote maritime support and training to Libya’s Naval

Coast Guard and Navy.

People

Page 11

Issue 6

“This is the first

time that a Mal-

tese civilian (non-

military or police)

has been pre-

sented with the

CSDP Service

Medal”

On the 13th February the the Malta Government again reiterated its travel advice issued in August 2014,

against all forms of travel to Libya.

Furthermore, the Malta Government again strongly advised all Maltese nationals in Libya to leave the country.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs advised that those in need of further information should contact the following

numbers:

MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS; Palazzo Parisio, Merchants' Street, Valletta, MALTA

Tel: +356 2204 2200

tese and English. I invite you to go

visit; it’s not only a good source of

information about the Ministry for

Foreign Affairs but you will also

find other news as well. From the

coming issue we will also have the

regular contributions by the Em-

bassies, Consulates and other rep-

resentations abroad.

I started looking at this publication,

The Bridge, a couple of weeks back

and started working on it, resulting

in this edition.

This is the 6th edition, following

the previous 5 and I thought of

changing the layout and format.

Hope you enjoy!

As the title implies, this newsletter

is a bridge, a pont, a link between

the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and

the reader, whether living in the

It is my pleasure to take ownership

of this monthly publication “The

Bridge” or “Il-Pont”.

Time flies! It is now just past five

months since I took over from

Maria Muscat as the Ministry for

Foreign Affairs’ Communications

Coordinator. Maria kept the same

role but with the President of the

Republic.

As soon as I had settled in, to-

gether with a team formed by the

ministry’s IT Department and also

the ministry’s secretariat, I updated

the Ministry’s website

(www.foreignaffaris.gov.mt), which

now reflects the government’s

corporate image. It is a pleasure to

note that this ministry’s website is

one of the few bilingual websites

giving all information in both Mal-

Maltese Islands or living in an

adoptive country.

This is your newsletter as much as

it is the ministry’s. Any comments

and suggestions are more than

welcome whilst articles sent will

also be considered for publication.

Please send your contributions and

any suggestions on the email pro-

vided on this page.

Hope you enjoy this edition as

much as I enjoyed compiling it for

you!

Etienne St. John

Communications Coordinator

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Editor’s note

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Palazzo Parisio

Merchants Street,

Valletta VLT1170

Phone: +356 22042369

E-mail: etienne.st-john@gov.mt

web: www,foreignaffairs.gov.mt

Phoenician Cippus at

Ministry for Foreign

Affairs, Malta. (read more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/

wiki/Cippi_of_Melqart)

Organization

T h e B r i d g e